Public employers modifying health benefits - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:

mozybyd.wordpress.com
The survey, conducted by Brookfield-baseds , showed public employers nationwide are modifying their employewe health care benefits to includemore cost-saving measures. The survey found that 72 percent of public employersa are increasing or considering an increase intheit employees’ deductibles, coinsurance or copays. In 74 percent of public employers are increasinf or considering an increas inemployee premiums. When askede why they were consideringhighef deductibles, 46 percent of public employers cite the financiakl crisis. Almost the same percent, 45 cite the crisis as the reason why they are thinkingt about higheremployee premiums.
“Thesd findings are surprising, although cost-sharing measures have been common in the corporat e world for quitesome time, publicf employers have traditionally not modified theif health care plans in this Sally Natchek, senior director of research at the foundation said in a “The fact that the majorityu of public employers are now increasin deductibles, copays and premiums illustratesa the dual effect rising health care costsz and the financial crisis are having on their plans.” Othedr cost-saving programs that public employers are institutinvg include adding a consumer-driven health plan, shifting to a self-funded plan and introducinfg spousal surcharges.
Nearly three-fourths of public plan sponsoras are placing more emphasis on controlling prescription drug The majority of public employers are expandinvg participant education about drug optionsand costs, increasinyg copayments and/or coinsurance for drugs and mandating the use of generix drugs, the survey found.