December 18, 2009 :: Business

Save on Health Care Now

Save Money On Health Care: Five Things You Can Do Now

The following was printed in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's monthly publication: uschamber.com...

by Wayne Sensor

Health care, as we have known it, is changing. We don't know how, or exactly when, but change is coming. Over the past several months, we have seen the fear that Americans are feeling over health care reform.

Change can be good, especially when you consider that we spend $2.5 trillion a year on health care and not everyone has access to it. No one can predict what will emerge from the great debate on health care—but you can start saving money now.

Encourage your employees to take good care of themselves.

It sounds pretty simple, but most people take their health for granted until something happens. By then, you're fighting to attain—not maintain—good health, and that is much more expensive. How do you maintain good health? Take control of your situation—eat well, exercise, and keep a healthy weight. Those three things can lower your risk for costly health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Encourage prevention.

Preventing illness is the single most important thing your employees can do. It's cost-effective and lifesaving. Spending a little money each year on a physical is, in the long run, much less expensive than ignoring your health and ending up in an ER with a heart attack. Make sure that your employees are monitoring their cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar. Benefits plans that pay for prevention are a good investment. You pay for expensive care on the back end through higher premiums, Why not invest a little on the front end to keep employees healthy and avoid more costly care?

Expect your health care providers to provide cost and quality data.

For employees to make good decisions, they must have information. What other products or services do we buy in this country without knowing how good they are or how much they cost?

Alegent Health posts 40 quality scores on its Web site and has an online cost-estimating tool that gives people relevant pricing on more than 500 tests and procedures. You and your employees have every right to know how good your health care is and what it costs. If that information is not available, ask for it—or demand it—if you have to. It's that important.

Educate your employees on where to access care.

Do they need an ER, or could they go to a clinic? That decision can save thousands of dollars. Let's say a child has a fever and sore throat. Strep is suspected. A checkup and strep test at the doctor's office can save hundreds of dollars over the ER. Inform your employees about their options.

Help employees manage their chronic diseases.

Employees who are diagnosed with a chronic disease, like diabetes, need to manage it. Give them time and tools to keep it in check. Encourage them to work with their doctors to develop a plan they can live with.

As employers, we play a significant  role in the health of our workforces. Developing an innovative health benefits plan can offer a competitive edge in attracting and retaining talent. It can also improve the health of employees, avoid hospitalization, and save money in the process.
 

The author is president and CEO of Alegent Health, a not-for-profit health care system in Nebraska and Iowa.Originally published October 2009. Reprinted by permission, uschamber.com, October 2009. Copyright© 2009 U.S. Chamber of Commerce - All Rights Reserved.