It is no secret that overall, healthcare costs are rising, in a climate where employees are looking for more and more from their benefits offerings. For employers it is a constant challenge to provide a robust package that will help with the goal of attraction and retention of talent, while also trying to control costs. Reference based pricing health plans have become increasingly popular in recent years as employers look for ways to contain those rising healthcare costs. Reference based pricing is a type of health plan that sets a maximum allowable fee for certain procedures, tests, and services. While this can indeed be an effective way to control costs, there are pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s the right choice for your company. PROS Cost Control. The primary benefit of reference-based pricing is that it helps employers control healthcare costs. By placing a limit on what providers can charge for certain services, employers can ensure that their employees are only paying for the care that they need. Transparency. Reference-based pricing can be more transparent for employers, as they can easily see what they are paying for each service. This allows employers to make informed decisions when deciding which services to cover. Create Competition Among Providers. Since providers must compete for the business they must offer services at or below the reference fee in order to be considered for payment. This encourages competition and helps to keep prices reasonable. Employee Choice. Since employers are only paying a set fee for a service, employees can choose from any provider that meets the reference fee. This allows employees to find a provider that best meets their needs and budget. CONS Limited Availability of Certain Services. Since providers are limited in what they can charge, they may be less likely to accept patients who are covered by these plans. This means that patients may have to travel further to find care or may be unable to access certain services. Administrative Burden. Employers must constantly monitor and adjust the prices they are paying for each service. While it is not for everyone in all situations, all in all, reference-based pricing is a great way for employers to control...
Read MoreWe are excited to announce our relocation to a new state of the art 4,000 sq. ft. office, centrally located at 440 US 22E, Bridgewater, NJ. The space was designed by SNS Architects & Engineers, PC and features a large conference room, a small break out room with video conferencing functionality, two mini-offices for private conversations and large open floor plan. “Our goal was to create a beautiful new space to continue facilitating team collaboration and an enhanced working environment. As we expand our business we felt it vital to offer a first class space to host our local client and vendor meetings, while also integrating cutting edge technology to communicate with all clients” said Partner Brian Honan. Brandi Bowers | Benefits ConsultantPF Compass Employer Guidance & Benefit Solutions 440 Route 22, E., Suite 190Bridgewater, NJ 08807Tel (732) 258-1032...
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