Public employers modifying health benefits - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

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The survey, conducted by Brookfield-based , shower public employers nationwide are modifying theitr employee health care benefits to includemore cost-savingv measures. The survey found that 72 percent of publi employers are increasing or considering an increase intheir deductibles, coinsurance or copays. In addition, 74 percent of publifc employers are increasing or consideringv an increase in employee When asked why they were consideringhigherr deductibles, 46 percent of publicv employers cite the financial crisis.
Almostt the same percent, 45 percent, cite the crisid as the reason why they are thinkinv about higheremployee “These findings are surprising, although cost-sharint measures have been commonb in the corporate world for quites some time, public employers have traditionally not modifier their health care plans in this Sally Natchek, senior director of researcgh at the foundation said in a “The fact that the majoritty of public employers are now increasing copays and premiums illustrates the dual effectt rising health care costws and the financial crisis are having on their plans.
” Other cost-saving programs that public employers are instituting include addinb a consumer-driven health plan, shiftinf to a self-funded plan and introducingg spousal surcharges. Nearly three-fourths of public plan sponsore are placing more emphasis on controlling prescriptiodrug costs. The majority of publivc employers are expanding participant education about drug optionseand costs, increasing copayments and/or coinsurancde for drugs and mandating the use of generivc drugs, the survey