Sleiman Karam

In these challenging times employers tend to reduce their expenses to adapt to lower income and profits. One of the expenses often scrutinized is the Employee Group Insurance Plan. It is possible to make changes to the Plan without reducing the most important benefits that are of catastrophic nature.

There are many cost containment options available to reduce the costs of a benefit plan; some that have an immediate impact are;

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

In the last few years, claims for professional services have increased at a quick pace. Today, they represent an important portion of health claims. This has forced employers to consider a global combined maximum for all professional services instead of a maximum per service. Another method to lower the cost of benefits is to reduce the yearly maximum. Professional services represent approximately 15% of the total premium. These benefits may have an immediate impact on reducing costs of a health insurance premium.

DEDUCTIBLE:

The role of a deductible is to control the costs of a plan by eliminating small claims that should not be covered in a group plan. Insurance is a tool to protect against important and catastrophic risks. The deductible is a fair amount that would not affect the financial situation of an insured individual. A yearly deductible of 100$ is a minimum that should be used in insurance plans today.

Employers do not often adjust deductibles in order not to disappoint their employees. The present economic situation is a good time to optimise and update a group insurance plan.

DRUG CARD:

Insurers offer a discount when a deferred card is used instead of a direct card. This change reduces the health insurance cost by 5% to 9%.

With a deferred card, an insured individual will pay the full price of the claim and then be reimbursed a few days later. The pharmacist transmits the claim to the insurance company.

VISION CARE:

It is important to question the existence of vision care in a Group Insurance Plan.

When comparing the premium paid for the benefit versus the amount insured, for example, 200$ every 24 months, more employers are opting not to include vision insurance in their plan. Vision insurance can represent 10% of the health insurance premium

DENTAL CARE:

Dental care is an optional benefit in a Group Insurance Plan. To significantly reduce the cost of this benefit, one can decrease the amount reimbursed. For example, if we offer a reimbursement of 70% instead of 80%, the dental care premium will decrease by 15%. It is also very important to analyse and justify the deductibles and annual maximums in order to control the cost.

When modifying a Plan, it is very important not to relay the wrong message to employees; that is, to communicate the changes and maybe implicate them in the process. In these tough times employers need the full support of their employees.

Presented in this article are some of the cost efficient options available to any employer. There are many more available that may be recommended once an in depth analysis is made of your group insurance plan. If help is required, contact us. (Click here for the contact page)

Sleiman Karam, MBA GBA

Advisor in group insurance plans

EXPATRIATES AND THEIR INSURANCE BENEFITS

Expatriates have special insurance needs that should be carefully analysed in order not to expose expatriates to risks that they should not take. Everyone has different needs and priorities for their insurance coverage. International insurance plans today offer the flexibility to meet the requirements of expatriates living around the world.
International insurance companies have long served expatriates around the world and understand the unique needs of expatriate life abroad. Insurance policies issued by local insurance carriers fail to cover when you are on assignment abroad.

A globally portable International Insurance plan is essential to guarantee your health insurance coverage anywhere in the world. No matter where in the world you live or travel, you will be assured of having comprehensive healthcare protection. These policies will continue coverage if the insured returns to his country of origin definitely or temporarily. This is a very important aspect since with age we can become uninsurable for medical reasons.

Protections available:

1- Global Disability plan

A global income protection plan will offer you a replacement of your income in the case that you are unable to work due to a long term illness or accident. With advances in modern medicine, you are more likely to survive a serious illness or accident than die from it. The insurance company will pay up to 75% of your salary (or insurable income) while you are medically certified as being unable to return to work, till you attain 65 years of age if necessary.
Medical underwriting is required (medical questionnaire and testing) before the insurance company offers coverage.
2- Global Life insurance
A Global Life insurance plan will give you the peace of mind that your family or dependents will be secure financially.
3- Medical and dental insurance plan
Having the peace of mind that, should anything happen to you, you will have access to the best facilities and the best treatment (whether locally, nationally or in another country entirely) is considered priceless to most expatriates.
Plan benefits summary:
- In patient and day patient accommodations
- Drugs
- Surgery
- Outpatient (physician, specialist, treatment, and tests)
- Emergency evacuation
- Maternity – optional plan – (Complication and/or normal maternity)
- Psychiatric care

It is essential that expatriates and their families profit from a comprehensive and adequate insurance plan in order to maintain their quality of life and insure financial stability in the case of a major illness or accident.

Some insurance companies specialize in the expatriate market and offer the needed benefits to attain this objective. It is very important to deal with an advisor experienced in the expatriate field and who has access to all the insurers serving this market.