Partnering for employee health care

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Human Resources Management
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Employee and retiree healthcare is a significant and growing expenditure.
• Cost-sharing disputes between employers, employees, payors, and providers are common.
• The fundamental importance of employee health and a healthy workforce is often overlooked in cost debates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of employee health in healthcare cost discussions.
• To propose a strategic approach for HR professionals to manage healthcare expenditures.
• To emphasize the need for partnerships to control rising healthcare costs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the employer-employee healthcare cost dynamic.
• Review of current healthcare expenditure trends.
• Conceptual framework for a partnering strategy in HR.

Main Results:

• Healthcare cost is a divisive issue, but workforce health is a shared priority.
• Partnerships can create aligned incentives for cost management.
• HR professionals can play a key role in developing these strategies.

Conclusions:

• Prioritizing workforce health is essential for addressing healthcare costs.
• A strategic partnership model can lead to more effective cost control.
• HR professionals are pivotal in implementing solutions for employee health and cost management.