Sponsored by Northern Illinois Health Plan |
October 2011 Issue |
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E to E provides information from a business perspective that will educate regional employers about significant healthcare issues to help them make decisions benefiting their organizations and employees. | ||
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ContentsThe Trials Of Treating Chronic Pain Open Enrollment Tips For Success Costs Climb At Lowest Rate In 15 Years THINK PINK!
ON THE MOVE!
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THE TRIALS OF TREATING CHRONIC PAIN"We in the United States have a narcotics problem." So says Dr. David Deitz, national medical director at Liberty Mutual Group in Boston. "It really needs to be appreciated as a public health and important medical treatment problem that goes well beyond workers compensation." Deitz is not alone. Many like him agree that narcotic medications used to treat chronic pain – often labeled as opioids — can become addictive and are not always effective in the long-term. Some studies suggest that use past 60 days needs to be evaluated. Others believe that doctors alone should make that call, no questions asked. Chronic pain affects 116 million people in the United States. That’s more than the total affected by heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined. Many agree these ailing workers — and their employers — could both benefit by focusing more on underlying medical problems than just treating the associated pain. The widespread marketing of prescription drugs may contribute to the problem. But perhaps the biggest barrier to decreasing narcotics usage is entirely understandable and even noble: doctors want to help their patients in pain. Teaching these physicians alternative ways to alleviate patient discomfort, and following guidelines like those recommended by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, may provide them with the necessary tools to decrease opioid prescriptions. As the debate continues, employers should first and foremost be aware of the "opioid issue," which costs about $635 billion annually in medical care and lost productivity, according to the Washington-based Institute of Medicine. A phone call to NIHP can help you evaluate its impact on your business. FURTHER READING
Drugs increase employer pain
Interstate variations in use of narcotics
NCCI: Physician dispensing on the rise in most states OPEN ENROLLMENT TIPS FOR SUCCESSTo some people, October signals playoff baseball, turning leaves, and Halloween. For many of you, it means first and foremost it is open enrollment time…and that means you are busy managing a host of benefits issues. Here are some ideas to help you make open enrollment a slam-dunk success:
If you need help with your open enrollment program, don’t hesitate to call us at NIHP. We have years of experience — and a history of success — helping employers identify what and how to best communicate benefits news. FURTHER READING
Benefits managers move from traditional to innovative communication strategies
Employee benefits plans communication
Prudential research offers insight on conducting successful open enrollment season COSTS CLIMB AT LOWEST RATE IN 15 YEARSBenjamin Franklin liked to say the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Though many would add rising health care costs to that equation, there is some good news for next year: costs are projected to rise at the lowest rate in 15 years, according to a Mercer survey. Unfortunately, cost growth is still higher than employee wage growth and the general rate of inflation. Numerous factors are believed to contribute to the slowing pace of growth and corresponding decrease in the utilization of health services. Some experts fear people are simply not seeking care. Many think wellness programs are making an impact. Still others believe improved drug therapies have made the difference. Whatever variables go into the equation, the fact remains that health care costs are still projected to rise more than 7 percent in 2012. As always, employers will need to continue to balance cost control strategies, like implementing consumer-directed plans, with employee satisfaction, retention, and loyalty. FURTHER READING
Health insurance costs to rise again next year
Slower health benefit cost growth seen for 2012
Survey finds health benefit cost growth for 2012 likely to be the lowest in 15 years A Quick Review of Last Issue's "Quick Poll"In the July 2011 issue of E to E we asked readers, "Are you considering the addition of voluntary benefits (or more voluntary benefits if you already have them)?" Specific survey results are noted in the chart, below.
October Quick Poll – Vote
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