Sharing the burden

Article Abstract:

Insurers should take responsibility for helping to control health care costs. Health care systems will fail unless they preserve insurance principles and focus on individual responsibility in the maintenance of health. The guidelines to follow when establishing an effective health care system include creating broadly defined qualified plans, using federal taxes to encourage individuals to buy private health insurance and creating an Individual Health Account funding alternative.

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ASO's feast of services

Article Abstract:

Administrative-services-only (ASO) arrangements are agreements between insurers or third-party administrators and clients that are self-funded. ASO providers handle the administration and processing of claims and offer additional services, such as stop-loss coverage, banking arrangements and information services. These providers also can help employers reduce their healthcare costs.

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Getting flexible

Article Abstract:

Flexible benefit plans for small employers are becoming more popular. Health insurers traditionally have offered these plans only to mid-size and larger firms. The plans for smaller firms are simplified versions of the plans for larger companies. The three basic types of plans are pretax-premium plans, flexible spending accounts and full-flex plans.

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