What should employers do to move to value-based competition?
Employers must set the goal of increasing health value for their employees and their families, not minimizing the cost of health benefits. Lost productivity proves to be a far bigger cost than many employers have realized. The discount mindset has failed to control the rise in health care costs. Employers must set new expectations for health plans, including self-insured plans, and provide health plan continuity for employees rather than encouraging plan churning. Employers should expect that their employees are cared for by excellent providers, and support and motivate employees in making good health care choices and manage their own health. Employers should also find ways to expand insurance coverage and advocate reform of the insurance system to level the playing field and end today’s unfair cost shifting.
