How Companies Are Keeping Employee Health Care Costs Down

this is your HR news flash for the week of February 4th 2019 your weekly briefing on talent management and the world of work from HR certification Institute 56% of Americans have employer sponsored health care plans according to the US Census Bureau and the cost for these plans continue to rise the total average cost of health care benefits now exceeds $12,000 per employee annually but many employers are tackling this

problem head-on they're creating initiatives designed to reduce barriers to health care and provide more holistic care for their employees on-site or near site clinics are one solution some employers are trying these clinics provide necessary health services at or near work sites this makes accessing health care more convenient for employees says Alice shades CEO of century health technology also offers employers solutions that can help

control costs virtual healthcare solutions are growing rapidly particularly in behavioral health says Dan McMahon a principal in the Center for Health innovation at Mercer employers also have a growing number of options for app based care in areas like physical therapy he says Christopher Lee is a health care consultant and clinical solutions marketing manager at family health centers of San Diego he points out that many employers are also embracing advocacy based plans that

encourage holistic care most of us don't know 100% of what's in our insurance benefit plans until a need comes up so that's why it's critical to have an advocate case manager or care coordinator to inform patients and engage them in taking better care of their health Lee says advocacy based plans can help employees better utilize their health benefits improving their health and saving employers money in the long run well that's your HR news flash

for the week of February 4th 2019 from our CI thanks for listening and check back next Monday morning for the workplace news you need HR CI prepares HR leaders for the digital age learn more at HRC ice org [Music]