Data, analytics key for effective health benefits management
Ten years ago, when the Hopkins, Mass.-based developer and provider of software storage technology examined its health care plan, the company didn't have enough data to make good decisions, Ms. Vetter said.
While the company engaged employees to participate in health screenings, the data that was collected often was arbitrary, she said during a speech at a breakfast and networking meeting hosted by Worldwide Employee Benefits Network Inc. in Chicago.
“Health care is a shared responsibility” between employer and employee, Ms. Vetter said.
Long-term program
Realizing the importance to manage its workforce in health literacy, Ms. Vetter set out a long-term program to collect data from all of EMC's health plan providers, such as medical, dental and workers compensation.
Since 2004, EMC has offered once-a-month workshops for employees based on that data, which is collected and stored through a partnership with Ingenix Inc., a division of UnitedHealth Group Inc.
That data then is linked to an employer-sponsored electronic personal health record system powered by WebMD Health Services Group Inc. and shared with employees.The communication and engagement of health data to employees is vital because “employees trust their employer much more than a health plan,” she said.
$223 million in savings
The information allows EMC to identify particular health issues and offer targeted health care to its employees, Ms. Vetter said.
Ms. Vetter's vision of a connected health care infrastructure promoting efficiency and avoiding redundancy has saved the company $223 million since 2004.
Moving forward, Ms. Vetter is looking to make electronic personal health records medically relevant by including lab reports and imaging capabilities that can interface with hospitals.
Ms. Vetter, Business Insurance 's 2011 Benefit Manager of the Year, said the company will continue to invest in technology and data analytics and is considering fostering real-time consultations with physicians via multimedia platforms.
Provider Benefit Plan Health Insurance - News

One striking difference is the size of the deductible the worker must pay before insurance kicks in. At large companies, the average deductible for so-called “preferred provider organization” plans (the most common type of plan at both big and small

To be sure, the beneficiary is receiving a richer benefit package, but also a higher bill. “The impact depends on where you start,” Karen Igagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, told me Friday morning. “If an individual has purchased
“Health care is a shared responsibility” between employer and employee, Ms. Vetter said. Realizing the importance to manage its workforce in health literacy, Ms. Vetter set out a long-term program to collect data from all of EMC's health plan providers
Of that $15073, workers are now paying an average of $4129 for their health insurance each year, according to the non-profit group's annual Employer Health Benefits Study. Employers are paying the rest, nearly $11000. Average premiums for family

Mike Griffith, of Canton, Ga., holds a sign during a protest against President Obama's health-care reform plan outside the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta in June. A three-judge panel of the
How Health Insurance Exchanges Can Benefit You | Healthy ...
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Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, by 2014, each state must offer a health insurance exchange. According to the act there are specific guidelines that each of these health insurance exchanges must follow in order for them to receive any federal funding. The federal government is providing the basic outline, leaving the details to each of the states so that they can create the health insurance exchanges based on the state’s regulations.
There are some specific additions that would make these health insurance exchanges a superior marketplace for insurance. While the federal insurance regulations don’t make any of these features mandatory, the exchanges understand that it is expected to include them on their insurance platform.
These health insurance exchanges should have a way for the consumer to help with the decision making process. Because the exchange hosts a number of insurance providers there are numerous health plans to choose from and while one might think having so many choices is terrific, it can be difficult and confusing when you are attempting to choose the right plan.
With a proper mechanism in place to help with the decision making process the consumer will be able to make the right choice without the confusion. These health insurance exchanges will make a recommendation of a few plan options that best suit your situation, and then you can choose from that short list.
Another necessary add on is the direct transaction that occurs between the consumer and the health insurance company. This means that you will be able to directly pay the insurance provider, which means applications can be processed much faster, and you will have coverage much quicker.There is also less afraid of being scammed. You can easily renew your policy when you want and you can buy a new policy each time you want.
The online trading portal means there will be a single integrated system that allows you to move smoothly from registration to the generation of identity cards, and any service you have made your purchase.
Provider Benefit Plan Health Insurance - Bookshelf
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