What is driving health care costs?
Vinas: Individuals with chronic conditions typically generate 50 percent of employer health care costs. Data shows that 10 percent to 15 percent of those costs could be eliminated with better management. Heart conditions, lung conditions and diabetes always seem to top the list of high-cost claims that can be reduced with better management. Carney: In general, 20 percent of plan participants drive 80 percent of the overall health care plan costs, usually due to those lengthy chronic conditions that have significant ongoing costs to maintain. In many of those high risk/high claimant costs are costs and conditions that came about through lifestyle choices like smoking, excessive drinking and poor eating habits. How are wellness plans delivered? Carney: Most health plans sponsored by national carriers have wellness programs included, such as health risk assessments, disease management coaching and complex case management. For plans that are fully insured, the claim liability belongs to th
