Insurance Company Introduces Online Resources to Help Consumers, Employers Keep Healthcare Costs Down
Health care costs are expected to rise between 10 and 13% in 2006. US Health and Life Insurance Company introduces a new web resource aimed at helping consumers manage their health care costs and improve their overall health.
Sterling Heights, MI (PRWEB) December 23, 2005
In the wake of large scale employer health care cut backs and rising costs, US Health and Life Insurance Company has launched a web tool designed to assist consumers in managing their health care costs.
Located at www. ushealthandlife. com, the “Members” section of the site features a Consumer Directed Health Care section with links to assist visitors in managing their prescription drugs costs, researching their hospitals and providers, obtaining specific disease and condition management, and general health and wellness resources.
Although initially designed by US Health and Life, a Michigan based insurance company, as a tool for its members enrolled in High Deductible Health Care/Health Savings Accounts, the online tools were made available to the general public as well.
“While our initial focus was our HDHP customer, we are acutely aware that anyone and everyone needs help in managing their health care costs,” says Dan Gorczyca, President of US Health and Life. “Our mission as an insurance company is not just to sell insurance, but to provide a service to the public. The decision to open the resources to anyone who needs them was easy.”
According to Milliman, Inc. the average cost of healthcare for a family of four rose to $12,214 in 2005 representing an increase of 9.1% from 2004. With medical costs expected to trend at increases between 10.5 and 13.0% and prescription drug costs expected to trend between 10 and 14% in 2006, many families are increasingly looking for ways decrease their health care spending.
According to Gorczyca, the resources on the site are also intended to help consumers make informed decisions and become better healthcare consumers. “As a society we haven’t been trained to look at our healthcare as a purchase, therefore we don’t shop around for the best solution-either in terms of quality or in terms of price,” says Gorczyca. “With deductibles and out-of-pockets on the rise, it’s important that consumers have information that allows them to make educated decisions on the cost of their healthcare.”
The primary benefit of the new site to consumers, however, is in its “clearinghouse,” according to consumers such as Lisa Smith. Smith, a single mother of two young children, says, “the value to me is that everything is right there in one place. I see commercials about programs such as prescription assistance but may not remember the specific site later. If I go to the USHL site, all the links are there. It’s my health care resource.”
Insuring families and individuals through its employer group health, dental, and prescription plans, US Health and Life Insurance Company is a Michigan domiciled insurance company offering Service, Flexibility, and Value to its members. For more information about US Health and Life please contact Deanne M. DiCenzo at 586-693-4753.
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