Please review how last week’s Tip ended.  

And now, those incentives:

1. (High) Deductibles be gone! Ditto co-pays. They’re a form of regressive ‘taxation’ causing many to simply avoid care. Instead, provide first dollar coverage subject to co-insurance, which seems fairer IF annual Out of Pocket limits are tied to income. One possibility; an individual’s tax bracket.
2. Set coinsurance levels at 10% (Platinum), 20% (Gold), 30% (Silver) and 40% (Bronze) based on which high (or not so high) value providers are utilized at the point of service. (The CAA may finally permit network steerage.)
3. 2 ½ % premium surcharges for each of the following:

    > Smokers

    > No PCP

    > Failure to get recommended preventive care (dental & vision included)

    > BMI > 35

 

Let’s be sensitive to those with congenital and/or chronic conditions; are these incentives achievable by everyone?

Further, to those who might think ‘Joe Lunch Bucket’ is too indifferent, lazy or stupid to take advantage of any opportunity to improve their overall health care experience - and, lower costs - needs to join me at an employee meeting.

OK? Let’s get started.

“Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho. It’s Off to Work WE Go,”