Employee Benefits updates
Employee benefits today            
December 10, 2015
Dear :

Many of you may have seen the commercials, "Join the Revolution" for Minuteman Health Insurance.  The plan itself has solid benefits and stacks up well against any of the leading HMO's in the state. However, the problem is the network is very thin - major lack of doctors.

Recently we had a client in the Leominster/Fitchburg area ask us to get pricing for them.  The rates were about 20% lower then Blue Cross, but only 1 of the 24 primary care physicians utilized by the group participated in the network..

Maybe they should spend less money on advertising and more money building up the network? Sorry, there is NO "Revolution" to join here.

Click on picture for Mnuteman video
If you have any questions please send us an e-mail.   Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you know who owns a business.   

Sincerely,

Delivery of urgent care becoming more retail

The only real way to control health
insurance premiums is to control the cost of claims.  Creating universal health insurance, as we found out, does not magically control the cost of claims and keep health insurance premiums down.

One way to cut the cost of claims is to provide services in locations that have lower overhead compared to a hospital or emergency room.  Typically the initial thought process for the consumer is to go to your Primary Care's office. But, this sometimes becomes more complex as we all know how tough it can be to get an appointment.  Also, the PCP's are somewhat  limited in their scope of services.  Years ago, the PCP could take care of many procedures in the office.  Now, the insurance carriers do not allow them to do so.  Many times the doctor will refer you to the ER.

The answer may be in Urgent Care Facilities. You will see more and more of these open up in the future. In Worcester there is  ReadyMed with four locations in Auburn, Hudson, Milford and Shrewsbury, with a new one being built on Shrewsbury Street.

This is not the only one.   Urgent Care has recently opened a storefront in Holden, while  Doctors Express also opened on Stafford Street in Worcester.   Don't forget about all the urgent care clinics in the various pharmacies.

Remember not only does the health insurance company lower their  costs, but you will save money in co-payments or deductible expenses by utilizing these facilities.

 


Wellness Fairs are Catching On!

Thank you to Marcelo Megali and the Rosbury Family of F & D Plastics in Leominster.  In September we introduced the first Wellness Fair for all employees.  Why should you learn more about this?

As we continue to realize that we have limited control over health insurance premiums, we can control how we approach our own health.  Employee education is critical. 

Start by encouraging employees to get annual physicals. By hosting an on site event where employees can have their blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol done at no cost, it's a great first step.  

Employees will also appreciate that you are providing this service.  Throw in a seated massage and light refreshments make for a special, well appreciated afternoon for all.

Advantage Benefits will set up the entire wellness plan for your company and work with you to determine if you qualify for the Mass. Wellness Tax Credit.
Email Vanessa now!

Harvard-Pilgrim Eat Right rewards & Eastern Harmony

For those of you who have Harvard Pilgrim as their carrier for health insurance, you may want to check out their new "wellness"offering and incentive plan to reward and promote "healthy living".  We are learning more about this program too, but check out the video below:   


Click picture to watch video



They even have another rider called
Eastern Harmony click this link.  

  Advantage Benefits Group       
78 Pleasant St Worcester MA 01609
     800-426-2413 (Bill)                508-798-0887 (Vanessa)
 508 4-14-8305  (Bill cell)          508-494-8303 (Vanessa cell)
Bill@AdvantageBenefits.com     Vanessa@AdvantageBenefits.com
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