Becoming the middleman: direct contracting can be done, but it means taking on burdens your insurer once shouldered

Article Abstract:

More and more businesses are discovering that they can reduce their healthcare costs and improve the quality of health care delivered to their employees by contracting directly with providers. There are many caveats, however, and cost savings are not guaranteed. Businesses must hire a third party administrator or carry out many of the administrative tasks that were once taken care of by the insurance carriers and they must shoulder the financial risk themselves. Details are given of two separate experiments at implementing such contracts, one in Minneapolis, MN, and the other in Owatonna, MN.

Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers, Health Plan Administration, Health aspects, Management, Case studies, Employee benefits, Health insurance industry, Minnesota, Self-insurance, Self insurance

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Volunteerism - it's the 'in' thing -- but will it work?

Article Abstract:

Government attempts to mandate health insurance reform appear to have failed, and politicians and others are beginning to espouse voluntary reform measures. But voluntary measures may also fail to significantly reduce the number of uninsured individuals. The "medical IRA" has been touted as a simple and effective means of providing healthcare funds to working individuals. A close examination reveals pitfalls in the medical IRA concept however.

Usage, Volunteerism

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System needs restructuring, not simply spending cuts

Article Abstract:

Debate over health care reform in 1995 has focused mostly on cost cutting, but the health care system needs to be drastically restructured to meet the social demands of the 1990s. Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care agencies successfully responded to the social needs of the 1960s, however such federal agencies may no longer be adequate for an aging population and a world filled with violence and chronic illnesses.

Health Care, Health Care and Social Assistance, Medical care

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