Public employers modify benefits – Charlotte Business Journal:

The survey found 72 percent of publivc employers are increasing or considering an increase intheir employees’ deductibles, co-insurance or co-pays. In addition, 74 percent of publix employers are increasing or considering an increasde inemployee premiums. When asked why they were considerinhghigher deductibles, 46 percent of publicx employers cite the financial crisis. And 45 percent cite the economic downturjn as the reason why they are thinkin about higheremployee premiums. “These findingsz are surprising.
Although cost-sharing measures have been common in the corporatew world for quitesome time, public employers have traditionallyh not modified their health-care plans in this direction,” says Salluy Natchek, the foundation’s senior directo of research. “The fact that the majority of publivc employers are nowincreasing deductibles, co-payw and premiums illustrates the dual effect risiny health-care costs and the financial crisias are having on their plans.” Othee cost-saving programs that public employers are institutinfg include adding a consumer-driven healtbh plan, shifting to a self-funded plan and introducingb spousal surcharges.
Nearly three-fourths of public-plan sponsors are placinyg more emphasis oncontrolling prescription-drug costs. The majorith of public employers are expanding participant educatiojn about drug optionsand costs, increasing co-payments or co-insurances for drugs and mandating the use of generifc drugs, the survey found. The International Foundatiom of Employee Benefit Plans isa Wisconsin-basef nonprofit providing information on employee benefits, compensatio n and financial literacy.

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