Employers Shift Focus To Prevention
An increasing number of employers are realizing that a good health care strategy includes programs and incentives designed to change employee behavior.
A resounding 95% of employers agree that there is a link between employees’ health and productivity, and 77% agree that using drugs proven effective for a condition will reduce other services for that condition, according to a recent survey from the Midwest Business Group on Health.
Article provided by BenefitNews.com 5-17-07
Use of diabetes, cancer drugs on rise
America’s health care system, already burdened by skyrocketing costs, faces more challenges as reports indicate spending will increase over the next couple of years on drugs to combat diabetes and cancer.
An epidemic of diabetes, combined with more aggressive treatments, could result in a near 70% increase in spending on endocrine and diabetes therapies from 2007 to 2009, according to a report released yesterday by the pharmacy benefit manager Medco. An aging population and rising obesity rates are expected to push spending on diabetes medications upward by 16% to 20% annually, as use increases each year by 8% to 10%.
Article provided by Benefit News 5-17-07.
Americans Not As Healthy As They Think
At least 54% of Americans agree others would say they need to lose 10 pounds. Yet 66% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A whopping 75% of Americans agree others would say they are in good physical shape, but only 49% believe others would say they exercise vigorously three times per week. In reality, more than half of U.S. adults do not get enough physical activity to benefit their health, and 24% are not active at all in their leisure time, according to the CDC.
Information provided by Benefitnews.com 5-22-07
Boomers Place New Demands On Health Sector
By 2030, the U.S. health care system will face new challenges with boomers’ medical needs because their growth will out pace individuals entering into the health profession, a new
study from the American Hospital Association (AHA) indicates.
Americans are living longer, but more than 37 million boomers will have a manageable chronic condition by 2030. For instance, 25% of Americans age 65 or older will have diabetes, and more than 26 million boomers will have arthritis, AHA reports. Over 21 million boomers will be considered obese by 2030.
Article provided by Benefit News 5-17-07.
Impact Of Weight Loss On The Family
Lasting weight loss requires a committed effort to follow a healthy eating plan, exercise regularly, create positive thinking skills and construct a supportive environment. Yet, tackling weight loss as a solo event may overlook the benefits that come with including others, especially family members.
Research shows that weight loss can provide health benefits not only for the individual working to shed excess pounds but also for the family.
To read article in its entirety click on
Weight Loss.
U.S. Patients Embrace Online Health Data
More Americans want to access health care information through their computers, a new study by Kaiser Permanente shows. For instance, 56% of patients would like to be able to review health care claims and coverage information online, while 51% said they want online access to their medical records.
Only 12% of Americans manage their personal health records online, but 73% believe electronic medical records can improve emergency room care and reduce medical errors.
The majority of patients think a computer system is better equipped to manage medical data, compared to a paper system. However, 47% feel paper is more secure, compared to 42% who say electronic records are more secure, Kaiser reports. Patients are getting more comfortable visiting medical Web sites, such as WebMD, to track down health information.
Article provided by Benefitnews.com 5-10-07.
Healthier Workers, Healthier Profit
"It was a wake-up call to me that I needed to start eating my own cooking, so to speak."Wally Gomaa, now 32, was a Dallas-area insurance man pushing his 5-foot-7-inch, 294-pound frame to meetings as he tried to sell businesses on wellness programs to help their workers do things like quit smoking, start exercising ... and lose weight.
To read this article in its entirety click on
Wellness News.
Advisers Should Focus On Health Care Decision Tools
Employers want their workers to have tools that help them manage their medical costs, according to a new survey from United Benefit Advisors, which polled 1,746 employers of various industries and sizes. Employers favor this approach over adopting a high deductible plan.
To read article in its entirety click on
Health Care Decision Tools.
AHIP Census Finds Giant Leap In HSA Participation
American health consumers are increasingly taking control of their health care dollars by signing up for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). According to a January 2007 census by America’s Health Insurance Plans’ (AHIP) Center for Policy and Research, participation in HSAs, which were first made available in January 2004, has jumped to 4.5 million people – up 43 percent from last year.
Even more exciting, the AHIP report found that 27 percent of new HSA enrollees in the Individual market were previously uninsured. This statistic confirms that HSAs are not only transforming how Americans approach their health care, but also significantly reducing the number of people without health insurance coverage.
Broker updates - May 2, 2007
