Following credit crunch every employer has tightened their purses as far as offering benefits to their employees is concerned. Majority of the individuals have their health insurance through their employers. However, the credit crunch has compelled employers to cut back on the coverage offered to employees.

Given below are few changes that are expected to take place in 2010 as far as employer-sponsored health insurance coverage is concerned.

1. Employers are planning to shed some of the costs and ask employees to shell out more cash as out-of-pocket expenditure. This may include premium, co-payments and deductibles etc. The increase is likely to be as follows –

• Deductibles may increase by USD$50 to USD$100 for every person
• Co payments – You need to pay an extra USD$5 for every visit

2. Employers offering health insurance are trying to save some cash by offering discounts, gift cards and cash discounts to employees who are willing to take part in fitness programs that include weight management, health risk tests as well as programs to stop smoking. Employees are being encouraged to take better care.

3. Employers plan to reduce the number of health insurance plans that the employees can choose from.

4. There are many companies that are implementing prescription plans. The “consumer-directed drug plans” are expected to be an effective means of cutting costs.

5. Another area of employer- sponsored health insurance that is expected to change includes family health coverage. You may have to shell out surcharges if you are planning to include your spouse in the health coverage plan.

Employees have no other alternative but to opt for the coverage that is being offered by their employers. All you can do is to assess the plans that are being offered to you and look for different options. However, chances are less that you will find a health insurance plan offered by your employer that will meet all your health care requirements.

Tags: Blogroll, Health Insurance Leads