Rising health care costs are prompting companies to reduce or eliminate their health insurance benefits in order to save money so they can remain in business. In fact, health care costs consistently rank among the top concerns of CEOs of the largest companies, and the rising health insurance bills are a serious problem for firms that compete globally. Today only 50 percent of employers offer health care benefits to their employees; the rate is even lower -- and descending -- among small businesses. Families are also hurt by rising health insurance premiums: worker pay raises are frequently offset by the additional cost of their health care benefits for the upcoming year.

Evaluate the health insurance options: United Healthcare is the current provider, & 90% of premiums are paid by the employer. Select the best plan for the company & compare the plan you recommend with the current plan:

What are the advantages/disadvantages of your choice for the company?

What are the advantages/disadvantages of your choice for the employee?

What is the companys total annual payout, current compared to next year?

What is the annual cost to the employee, current compared to next year?

If the new plan saves the company a lot of money, what is at risk?

If the new plan saves the employees a lot of money, what is at risk?

What actions can the company take to provide health insurance AND reduce the costs to the company? Is there a cost to implement the action(s)?

What actions can the company take to encourage wellness? What is the cost to implement the action(s)?

Employees-Monthly Premuims	Age	2015 Current Policy Premium	Renew Current Policy for 2016	Alternate 1	Alternate 2	Alternate 3
Randy (family plan)	40	$920.05	$1,196.57	1112.82	1097.34	977.49
Richard (family plan)	47	1084.69	1363.96	1259.44	1227.18	1089.52
Robert (family plan)	36	923.92	1130.30	1012.90	1020.77	937.76
Daniel (single plan)	27	225.77	254.68	242.56	240.56	226.36
Herman (single plan)	62	679.24	845.34	769.89	759.07	682.39
Michael (single plan)	55	385.77	629.09	599.81	571.67	528.92
Todd (single plan)	37	276.96	316.56	290.37	287.69	268.73
Ross (single plan)	47	287.09	353.06	325.98	320.83	288.42
Gerald (single plan)	54	385.77	474.41	447.24	431.10	387.55
Elaine (single plan)	70	255.64	314.39	289.76	285.69	256.83
Total Monthly Premium Note: 90% of premium is paid by employer		$5,415.91/mo*	$6878.36/mo	$6390.77/mo	$6241.90/mo	$5643.97/mo
% Increase over last year			27%	18%	15.3%	4%

*The current policy cannot be renewed at this rate. The new rate for the current policy will rise 27% next year.

Benefit Comparison for United Healthcare Renewal Options	2015 Current Policy Premium	Renew Current Policy for 2016	Alternate 1	Alternate2	Alternate3
Annual Deductible	$500/single $1,500/family	$500/single $1,500/family	$1,000/single $3,000/family	$1,500/single $4,500/family	$3,000/single $9,000/family
Out of pocket Maximum for Copays +deductible	$3,000 single $6,500 family	$3,000 single $6,500 family	$4,000 single $9,000 family	$3,500 single $7,000 family	$5,000 single $10,000 family
Physician Office Visit Copay	$25	$25	$30	$25	$30
Emergency Room Copay	$100	$100	$100	$125	$150