Public sector employers prefer disease management programs to control health care costs
Disease management and wellness programs are more popular than consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) among public sector employers that are seeking ways to reduce health care costs, according to research by the Brookfield, Wis.-based International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP). Fear that the larger out-of-pocket costs for employees associated with CDHPs may lead to employees delaying needed care may be one reason for the public sector’s aversion to the plans, IFEBP Senior Director of Research Sally Natchek said in a statement.
The IFEBP study, “Health Care Cost Control: Industry Approaches and Attitudes,” includes responses from 1,054 benefit plans sponsors, trustees and other members of the employee benefits industry. Thirty-five percent of the public employers responding to the survey said they did not consider CDHPs to be a good fit for their organizations, and 74 percent said there is not enough data showing CDHPs’ cost-effectiveness.
The entire 57-page report is available — as an e-book only — for $100 for non-IFEBP members and $67 for members.