Healthcare Trends
Learn what's behind your premiums and ways to save
Several factors contribute to climbing healthcare costs. Fortunately, there are often practical ways to stabilize your insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. But first it helps to understand what drives premiums higher.
Trends that increase healthcare costs
- Demographics
- Government regulation
- New medical technology
- Increased utilization and consumer demand
- Weakening of managed care system
- Healthcare spending and medical cost inflation
- Increased prescription drug costs and utilization
Three steps to better manage your healthcare costs
STEP ONE: Promote preventive care
- Get annual physical exams
- Stay current with mammograms and pap smears
- Go for a prostate screening
- Use the preventive care services included in your insurance program
STEP TWO: Employer involvement
- Start a wellness program
- Encourage health risk assessments
- Use incentive programs for smoking cessation and weight loss
- Promote disease management
- Educate employees on how to use benefits wisely
STEP THREE: Healthcare utilization
- Use generic prescription drugs
- Manage your stress
- Treat minor illnesses at home
- Know what level of care you need, such as a visit to a convenience clinic versus urgent care
- Educate yourself on healthy eating and fitness
