Consumer Reports Examines Cost-Shifting Trend in Employer-Based Health Insurance

The current issue of Consumer Reports "explains the new cost burdens" for workers with employer-sponsored health insurance and offers advice on how to select an appropriate health plan. The article outlines three emerging strategies employers are using to lower their health-related costs. These strategies include implementing or raising subscriber copayments and deductibles, creating personal health accounts and starting disease-management programs. Consumer Reports states that personal health accounts -- recently endorsed by President Bush -- have the potential to "undermine the adequacy of health coverage" in the United States and leave employees "significantly underinsured when they are injured or sick" (Consumer Reports release, 6/10). The full article is available online.