Are there other ways for employers to avoid rising health care costs other than adopting strict wellness programs?
Many employers today try to shop around every time their insurance goes up which is just about every year to get the best rate they can. However, to call that a negotiation with insurance companies is a misnomer because the insurance companies have most of the power, especially when smaller employers are involved. Where is the whole trend toward dictating wellness programs and even off-duty lifestyle activities going? Employers are faced with a real Hobson’s choice when it comes to spiraling health care costs. It seems like our system is broken and no remedy is on the horizon, and employers are doing what they think is in the best interests of the entire work force. It goes without saying that people who live unhealthy lifestyles, including those who smoke, use their health insurance more. Some would say it’s unfair that healthy employees have to share in the same costs as unhealthy employees. With the 2008 U.S. presidential elections on the horizon, some politicians are talking about
