Houstonians will pay more for health care in 2012Health care going up in Houston

Houstonians will have to dig deeper to pay for health care next year as companies shift more of the burden onto their employees.

Workers face a one-two punch of higher insurance premiums coupled with rising out-of-pocket expenses such as co-payments and deductibles, according to Aon Hewitt, the human-resource consulting firm that surveys large employers on their projected costs. Nationwide, the survey included 371 large employers, including 224 with employees in Houston.

The average employee in Houston will pay $2,516 for health-insurance premiums next year, up from $2,277 in 2011, the Aon Hewitt survey found.

Houstonians will also see a spike in the amount they pay for such expenses as co-payments and deductibles. Next year, those out-of-pocket costs are expected to reach $2,855, up from $2,526 this year.

Jim Watt, CEO of Employee Benefit Solutions in Houston, said national health-care reform will accelerate the increase in costs because the legislation did not really address the rising cost of health care.

Yet Watt said many workers, especially in the energy sector, aren't facing such increases in costs.

While some employers have taken the opportunity to cut their own costs in light of the poor economy, industries such as energy - which are competing hard for talent and trying to retain the people they already have - are hesitant to boost deductibles and co-payments.

Health-care costs are rising faster than raises which, according to another survey from Aon Hewitt, are expected to be 3 percent next year for salaried workers in Houston.

Several factors are driving the increase in health-insurance costs, according to Aon Hewitt. Slower hiring has resulted in an older work force that is more likely to have expensive medical conditions, which is driving up the cost and number of catastrophic claims.

Furthermore, the increase in diabetes and heart disease is making it difficult for employers to devise ways to cut costs on a short-term basis, according to Aon Hewitt.

Short Term Health Insurance Houston - News


Houstonians will pay more for health care in 2012Health care going up in Houston
Houstonians will pay more for health care in 2012Health care going up in Houston

Nationwide, the survey included 371 large employers, including 224 with employees in Houston. The average employee in Houston will pay $2516 for health-insurance premiums next year, up from $2277 in 2011, the Aon Hewitt survey found.



Affordable dental care options available
Affordable dental care options available

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Mining Supervisor — OCE — All jobs (page 2) — Misco Jobs

Rio Tinto Coal Australia is one of Australia's leading mining organisations with a highly successful record in developing and managing world-class open cut and underground coal operations.  We recognise the importance of equal employment opportunity and the benefits of a diverse workforce. As part of the way we work, we seek to build enduring relationships with all of our communities that are characterised by mutual respect, active partnership and long term commitment. Our Mining Department is currently seeking a to join their team. Reporting to the Mining Superintendent you will lead a team to meet safety, production and efficiency targets. You will provide input into the creation of operational plans and schedules as well as being actively involved in a range of improvement initiatives.  Success in the role will be dependent on your ability to motivate and inspire a team to achieve high levels of safety and operational performance.  Supervisory experience within an open cut mining environment is essential including .  Exposure to coal and strip mining and supervision of large teams would also be advantageous.  Of importance, will be an ability to communicate effectively in order to influence the safety performance of your crew.  On offer is: Generous remuneration and leave provisions with salary packaging available.


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