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Wal-Mart’s wearing a new hat: health care advocate

By on February 17, 2009 in Employers, Health Consumers, Health engagement, Health reform, Retail health

Nearly 100% of Wal-Mart’s staff is covered by health insurance, either through the company itself or through another source. Covered “associates” reached a total of 94.5% this month, compared with 92.7% last year.   The total proportion of Wal-Mart employees covered by Wal-Mart’s plans at the end of open enrollment was 51.8%. Uninsured Wal-Mart employees [...]

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Only 1 in 10 unemployed people buy into COBRA

By on January 26, 2009 in Affordable Care Act, Employers, Health Economics, Health Plans, Health regulation, PPACA, Safety net and health, Uncategorized, Uninsured

Because of high premiums, only 9 percent of unemployed workers have COBRA coverage. Maintaining Health Insurance During a Recession: Likely COBRA Eligibility, a study from The Commonwealth Fund (CMWF), clarifies how COBRA is actually used by unemployed people in the U.S. CMWF calculates that: – Two of three working adults are eligible to buy into [...]

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The average health insurance premium costs 84% of average unemployment benefits

By on January 12, 2009 in Employers, Health Consumers, Health Economics, Public health

The average unemployment benefit across the U.S. is $1,278; COBRA monthly premiums for family coverage are $1,069.   In 9 of the 50 states, COBRA equals or is greater than the monthly unemployment benefit. Those states are Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia. These metrics are shown in the [...]

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A majority of employers who don’t sponsor health would be unwilling to contribute over $50 per employee per month for coverage

By on October 23, 2008 in Employers, Health Consumers, Health Economics, Health reform

The U.S. employer sponsored health system is experiencing some bipolar behavior: there is a cadre of large employers who want to continue sponsoring health benefits as part of overall compensation. But, for at least one in 3 employers, most would not be willing to pay $50 per member per month to cover health for an [...]

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Employers’ wellness programs in a Health 2.0 era

By on October 22, 2008 in Employers, Health engagement, Health Plans, Prevention and wellness

Employee wellness is a growth business: 57% of large employers provide wellness programs to employees, increasing from 49% of large employers in 2006. According MetLife’s Sixth Annual Employee Benefits Trends Study, nine of ten companies that offer wellness believe these programs are effective in reducing medical costs. For the average employer, MetLife found, 58% of [...]

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