Florida legislators are looking to launch a new health care plan for small businesses in July 2012. The Florida Health Choices program, which was first built by lawmakers in 2008, aims to bring affordable health care policies to small businesses as an alternative to those offered by private insurance companies. The program has been in the development phase for several years partly because legislators want to make certain the program is being built correctly. The Florida Health Choices board says that the program is as ready as it will ever…
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American employers are using more insurance plans with high deductibles
A new survey has shown that employers in the United States who are struggling to manage the increasing costs of healthcare insurance are broadening the use of plans with high deductibles to help to keep the monthly premiums at a more affordable level, since more of the burden of medical expenses is falling on the employees. A Mercer benefits consulting firm survey, which involved the participation of 2,844 public and private employers, showed that this year, 32 percent of businesses that employ more than 500 people now have high-deductible health…
Read MoreStudy shows small business owners trust independent insurance agents more than financial institutions
The Hanover Insurance Group, one of the largest property/casualty insurers in the U.S., has released the results of a new study. The study shows that small business owners have more trust for independent insurance agents than financial institutions that also offer insurance coverage. The study is part of an attempt by Hanover to understand how changes to the insurance industry and the business world are affecting small businesses. The results of the study will likely be used by Hanover to build new insurance products targeting small businesses. Trust is becoming…
Read MoreVeridian Credit Union of Iowa implements new health insurance program that aims to make employees healthier
The rising cost of health care is beginning to put a great deal of strain on U.S. employers. Along with the soaring costs of health care, insurance is also rising, compounding the financial troubles faced by employers. Veridian Credit Union in Iowa is taking an aggressive stance of the health of its employees by introducing a new wellness program that is designed to keep the company’s health costs down. The program comes with coverage for voluntary screenings but also includes a steep penalty for those continuing unhealthy habits. The credit…
Read MoreSurvey shows workers often misinformed about costs of employer health insurance
A national survey conducted for eHealthInsurance between the months of September and October 2011, by Kelton Research, has shown that only 47 percent of participants who had employer-sponsored coverage are capable of stating with confidence the amount of their health insurance premiums that is covered by their salary and how much is paid by the employer. The survey also showed that 35 percent of the respondents who had employer-sponsored coverage were able to state how much the annual deductible for their plan was, and only 33 percent of the participants…
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