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Putting a dent in the deductible: non-traditional benefits

In an environment of rapidly rising premiums and deductibles, non-traditional products and services help mitigate health care costs, promote educated consumerism, and reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses for the insured, uninsured and under-insured. 

Annual double-digit premium increases, far out-pacing inflation, are simply unsustainable. Employers providing coverage to their employees have no choice but to raise deductibles and raise or eliminate co-pays just to keep annual increases in the single digits. $10 co-pays and $100 deductibles are a thing of the past. Today, employees are being asked to self-insure through higher deductibles, higher/no-copays and higher employee premium contributions.

A majority of Americans are insured under plans with deductibles at or exceeding $2,500. Less than 11% meet their deductibles each year, and for those with a $5,000 deductible plan that figure is less than 5%. As a result, employees are actively looking for alternatives to fill the gaps and stretch their hard-earned dollars.

As employers and individuals navigate a changing health care landscape, it is imperative to educate ourselves about the products and services available to help employers provide employees with meaningful discounts and services they might not otherwise have access to in their daily lives. Non-traditional benefits such as Doctors by Phone, Doctors Online and Medical Health Advisor help the insured, uninsured and under-insured save time and money.

DOCTORS BY PHONE

Speak to a physician anytime, anywhere

Avoid unnecessary doctor, ER and urgent care clinic visits

Treatment for common ailments such as upper respiratory infections, flu, allergies

Get a prescription, when necessary

DOCTORS ONLINE

Email and Smartphone App access doctors, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and nutritionists

Online medical library

Healthy Lifestyle Assessment to help employees monitor their current health status

Personal Health Record provides secure storage for health information

Weekly Health Tips authored by physicians and delivered by email

MEDICAL HEALTH ADVISOR

Personal Health Advocates

Navigate the complex health care and insurance systems

Save time, money, and get the most out of health benefits

Team of nurses, medical directors, administrative and insurance experts

Nurse Advice

Experienced registered nurses available 24 /7 help employees understand self-care options based on doctor-approved guidelines

Unbiased health info to make informed decisions

Bill Negotiation

Lower out-of-pocket costs on medical bills not covered by insurance

Advocates work directly with doctors, hospitals and dentists to lower the balance on uncovered medical or dental bills over $400

To learn more about non-traditional worksite benefits, join moderator Joel Ray, CEO of New Benefits, and panelists from Fringe Benefit Group, Teladoc, eDocAmerica and Health Advocate in Chicago at Workplace Benefits Transitions on Wednesday, Dec. 11th at 4:00 p.m.

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