Revisiting employee benefits managers

This article presents a case study of health purchasing practices of a sample of Employee Benefits Managers (EBMs) in a medium-size metropolitan area who were interviewed in 1991 and again in 1998. Findings show that employers have become less paternalistic in their health benefits; shifted plan options from indemnity coverage to managed care; increased employee cost-sharing; and placed greater decision-making on employees. EBMs embrace choice in health plans, have influenced the provider networks of plans, and have specified requirements for plan performance, however, use of quality information is limited.