The has been a great deal of debate over the level of government intervention in health care as a result of reform legislation.
Here is but one small example of what is contained in the recently passed House bill, HR 3962 you can decide for yourself:
“(C) USE OF COPAYMENTS- In establishing cost-sharing levels for basic, enhanced, and premium plans under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent possible, use only copayments and not coinsurance.”
Those of us who design and manage health plans have known for years that the move to copayments was a mistake because it is far more difficult to keep up with inflation and to maintain a target level of cost sharing. Prescription drug plans have even moved from copays to coinsurance.
However, when it comes to managing costs for ALL plan participants, including the majority in a plan with little or no expenses in a year, it appears the politicians are smarter than employee benefit professionals.
Keep in mind that while employer plan designs are grandfathered for five years under HR 3962, after that all bets are off. That’s a long time for Congress to act to “improve” the benefits.
Perhaps it is really time to retire.
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