Health insurance—we’re hearing a lot about it lately. If you have it—good, generous insurance that covers everything you need—you don’t even contemplate about insurance. Your employer has already done the legwork for you. But if you don’t have insurance, if you’re one of the 47 million Americans who have lost their insurance because of layoffs, or pre-existing conditions, or self-employment, the subject of insurance looms expansive.

The truth about American Health Insurance is that it is now a luxury item. Though arguments abound as to whether it’s a ‘right’ or a ‘responsibility,’ the truth is that insurance coverage in our country hangs by a thread. The cost of premiums and copayments have increased so noteworthy that only titanic corporations or government entities can ‘negotiate’ in order to earn the best prices. And their covered employees are so titanic a group that the risk is spread over a stout number of age groups and health situations.

We are often told that minute business is the engine for job creation in our country, and has been for decades. Yet, limited businesses are the most vulnerable to the prohibitive costs of health insurance. Often, a business is started with unprejudiced one person—or perhaps with one person, his or her spouse, or partner. That can qualify as a ‘group’ for insurance, but if one of those people has a serious, previously-diagnosed condition, it will bump their ‘group’ into a considerably higher premium level. Often the self-employed go without insurance, hoping to insert it into the business budget later, but higher health insurance premium costs can outstrip profit gains, so that it never does quite fit into the budget. And they continue to go without insurance.

On an industry forum I subscribe to, I recently read agonized comments and requests for advice about health insurance. If you judge tiny business is doing ravishing with the original system, you are terribly inaccurate. Foremost in the minds of those with diminutive, fledgling businesses is the health insurance coverage for the owner and his or her family. Often, this cost so taxes the profit margin that the only choice left to sustain the cramped business is to descend coverage for employees altogether, That invariably affects the quality of employees a business can attract. It then becomes a vicious circle—the business can’t acquire the employees it needs, or can’t support them for long—which then affects the productivity of the business—which then affects the bottom line of the business—which then makes it even more impossible to afford the health insurance coverage it needs to attract long-term employees.

The ‘pre-existing condition’ is also a jam that is level-headed with us, and may even be so narrowly defined as ‘previous surgery’ or past mental health condition. If you try to shop around for health insurance, hoping to gain a better tag, you may collect your condition under an ‘exclusion’ for a number of years. So in attain, you won’t be covered for that which you most need coverage to commence with!

Other problems distress our health care coverage, such as increasing deductibles and copayments, that drive ordinary, hard-working and insurance-covered individuals into bankruptcy court—and ‘non-covered procedures’ that have the families of desperately-ill individuals on the phone with insurance companies and bellow resolution boards when they should be attending to the patient himself.

We are often told that we have ‘the best health care system in the world,’ and it is—for those who are included fully in it. For others, the struggle to crash into that ‘best system in the world’—or to perform that system work for them—is a daily, monthly, or quarterly battle. And the number of those who are not included in that system grows daily. There are those who also voice us that it would be too expensive to camouflage all Americans in a national healthcare notion. Yet other countries net a ways to do it. And our government spends hundreds of billions on other projects of dubious necessity.

We should all be aware that our modern system of healthcare is failing too many Americans, and will continue to fail even more in the future. It is affecting our productivity as a nation, and our savings rate as a population. It is affecting our future—slowly, inexorably—and there may near a time when we are ‘forced’ to something drastic. It would surely be better if we made the change to a unique system thoughtfully and systematically, instead of under the threat of health insurance collapse. These are the choices we have. Let us hope we have the courage and creativity to tackle the jam. Those qualities are, after all, our strengths as Americans.

Health insurance—we’re hearing a lot about it lately. If you have it—good, wonderful insurance that covers everything you need—you don’t even consider about insurance. Your employer has already done the legwork for you. But if you don’t have insurance, if you’re one of the 47 million Americans who have lost their insurance because of layoffs, or pre-existing conditions, or self-employment, the subject of insurance looms mountainous.

The truth about American Health Insurance is that it is now a luxury item. Though arguments abound as to whether it’s a ‘right’ or a ‘responsibility,’ the truth is that insurance coverage in our country hangs by a thread. The cost of premiums and copayments have increased so worthy that only immense corporations or government entities can ‘negotiate’ in order to gather the best prices. And their covered employees are so gargantuan a group that the risk is spread over a vast number of age groups and health situations.

We are often told that microscopic business is the engine for job creation in our country, and has been for decades. Yet, runt businesses are the most vulnerable to the prohibitive costs of health insurance. Often, a business is started with unprejudiced one person—or perhaps with one person, his or her spouse, or partner. That can qualify as a ‘group’ for insurance, but if one of those people has a serious, previously-diagnosed condition, it will bump their ‘group’ into a considerably higher premium level. Often the self-employed go without insurance, hoping to insert it into the business budget later, but higher health insurance premium costs can outstrip profit gains, so that it never does quite fit into the budget. And they continue to go without insurance.

On an industry forum I subscribe to, I recently read agonized comments and requests for advice about health insurance. If you assume dinky business is doing comely with the unique system, you are terribly inaccurate. Foremost in the minds of those with miniature, fledgling businesses is the health insurance coverage for the owner and his or her family. Often, this cost so taxes the profit margin that the only choice left to support the minute business is to plunge coverage for employees altogether, That invariably affects the quality of employees a business can attract. It then becomes a vicious circle—the business can’t gather the employees it needs, or can’t hold them for long—which then affects the productivity of the business—which then affects the bottom line of the business—which then makes it even more impossible to afford the health insurance coverage it needs to attract long-term employees.

The ‘pre-existing condition’ is also a predicament that is calm with us, and may even be so narrowly defined as ‘previous surgery’ or past mental health condition. If you try to shop around for health insurance, hoping to fetch a better label, you may rep your condition under an ‘exclusion’ for a number of years. So in do, you won’t be covered for that which you most need coverage to open with!

Other problems damage our health care coverage, such as increasing deductibles and copayments, that drive ordinary, hard-working and insurance-covered individuals into bankruptcy court—and ‘non-covered procedures’ that have the families of desperately-ill individuals on the phone with insurance companies and impart resolution boards when they should be attending to the patient himself.

We are often told that we have ‘the best health care system in the world,’ and it is—for those who are included fully in it. For others, the struggle to shatter into that ‘best system in the world’—or to get that system work for them—is a daily, monthly, or quarterly battle. And the number of those who are not included in that system grows daily. There are those who also issue us that it would be too expensive to cloak all Americans in a national healthcare idea. Yet other countries rep a ways to do it. And our government spends hundreds of billions on other projects of dubious necessity.

We should all be aware that our new system of healthcare is failing too many Americans, and will continue to fail even more in the future. It is affecting our productivity as a nation, and our savings rate as a population. It is affecting our future—slowly, inexorably—and there may arrive a time when we are ‘forced’ to something drastic. It would surely be better if we made the change to a novel system thoughtfully and systematically, instead of under the threat of health insurance collapse. These are the choices we have. Let us hope we have the courage and creativity to tackle the jam. Those qualities are, after all, our strengths as Americans.

Boston, Massachusetts, May 15 — Hot air has been blowing every which scheme about what 2008’s presidential candidates might do with the United States’ crisis in health care. The residents of Massachusetts are holding an especially attentive ear to the waves of rhetoric coming from the podium.

One old-fashioned candidates, Mitt Romney, instituted the country’s first comprehensive health care policies during his gubernatorial term in Massachusetts. Probably his most touted accomplishment while holding office, this law has been embraced by some and despised by many. Fees and penalties await those who cannot afford health insurance, and those who would chose to forgo a customary health insurance view will be penalized even further.

The fact is that few people in the world would wish to not be insured in case of any major or minor health issues were to befall them. The sincere cost of the plans and the rather itsy-bitsy coverage provided by many providers has been the major deterrent for individuals to pursue health coverage. Like gasoline prices, the costs continually go up with exiguous, if any, relief in seek while staying on the broken-down course.

Also thanks to a notoriously steep tax rate, Massachusetts has become increasingly hostile for prospective businesses to region up shop within the position. In places like Boston and Worcester, colleges and research institutions abound with lots of high-quality talent pouring into the workforce each year. This leaves for a relatively saturated job market with high levels of competition for high-paying jobs.

The expedient jobs exist in Massachusetts, but they are very hard to earn as so many people vie for them. Many people with bachelors and masters degrees gain themselves working for far less than they are statistically worth or taking cuts on benefits to fetch their feet in the door.

Before it was mandatory to maintain a health insurance policy in Massachusetts, a relatively young and healthy person could rob a risk and work fruitfully as an independent contractor for a few years until a tenured salary plot was made available through their experience. Now many graduate’s hands are being tied by this law, forcing them to resolve between staying in the spot or finding cheaper pastures elsewhere.

The grass may not be greener in other states on every level, but cost of living is cheaper, for certain. Boston ranks among the top 10 expensive cities to live in. Tack on student loans, a full-priced health insurance idea and inordinate rents and property costs, and suddenly lots of places across the country, or even out of the country, may start to perceive more engrossing.

Whatever the presidential candidates belief to do about health care, along with the innumerable other pot holes the Bush Administration has helped fabricate, they need to do it speedy once in office. A “go monotonous” policy of integrating economic and social improvement plans honest will not do. Massachusetts residents pride themselves on living in a position with an astounding standard of living and it is critical that the culture and traditions created by families going support several generations be able to live in station affordably.

Boston, Massachusetts, May 15 — Hot air has been blowing every which intention about what 2008’s presidential candidates might do with the United States’ crisis in health care. The residents of Massachusetts are holding an especially attentive ear to the waves of rhetoric coming from the podium.

One venerable candidates, Mitt Romney, instituted the country’s first comprehensive health care policies during his gubernatorial term in Massachusetts. Probably his most touted accomplishment while holding office, this law has been embraced by some and despised by many. Fees and penalties await those who cannot afford health insurance, and those who would chose to forgo a dilapidated health insurance opinion will be penalized even further.

The fact is that few people in the world would wish to not be insured in case of any major or minor health issues were to befall them. The trusty cost of the plans and the rather dinky coverage provided by many providers has been the major deterrent for individuals to pursue health coverage. Like gasoline prices, the costs continually go up with miniature, if any, relief in leer while staying on the dilapidated course.

Also thanks to a notoriously steep tax rate, Massachusetts has become increasingly hostile for prospective businesses to place up shop within the area. In places like Boston and Worcester, colleges and research institutions abound with lots of high-quality talent pouring into the workforce each year. This leaves for a relatively saturated job market with high levels of competition for high-paying jobs.

The superior jobs exist in Massachusetts, but they are very hard to derive as so many people vie for them. Many people with bachelors and masters degrees derive themselves working for far less than they are statistically worth or taking cuts on benefits to procure their feet in the door.

Before it was mandatory to contain a health insurance policy in Massachusetts, a relatively young and healthy person could purchase a risk and work fruitfully as an independent contractor for a few years until a tenured salary spot was made available through their experience. Now many graduate’s hands are being tied by this law, forcing them to resolve between staying in the region or finding cheaper pastures elsewhere.

The grass may not be greener in other states on every level, but cost of living is cheaper, for certain. Boston ranks among the top 10 expensive cities to live in. Tack on student loans, a full-priced health insurance concept and inordinate rents and property costs, and suddenly lots of places across the country, or even out of the country, may launch to scrutinize more though-provoking.

Whatever the presidential candidates idea to do about health care, along with the innumerable other pot holes the Bush Administration has helped compose, they need to do it snappy once in office. A “go tedious” policy of integrating economic and social improvement plans impartial will not do. Massachusetts residents pride themselves on living in a position with an fantastic standard of living and it is necessary that the culture and traditions created by families going befriend several generations be able to live in space affordably.

The exclaim of health insurance can be a confusing and frustrating one for home business owners. It may seem like affording health insurance is an impossibility. However, health insurance is one expense that you really cannot afford to skip. If you are the critical source of income for your family, you must reflect the ramifications of not having health insurance. Your family is counting on you. One serious accident or illness can lead to the loss of your business and your family’s income.

For those who work from home and have no other employees, you can either hold individual health insurance or group health insurance. Many insurance companies now offer group plans for a single business owner. Prerequisites to purchasing group health insurance will differ for each provider. Individual insurance plans will grasp your fresh health and any preexisting medical conditions into yarn when deciding whether or not to give you coverage. However, a group opinion cannot refuse coverage based on existing medical problems.

When considering which health insurance notion to consume, be obvious to mediate about how mighty of a deductible you can afford. If you have some money in reserves, you may deem a larger deductible. Increasing your deductible from $100 to $2000 can actually lower your payments by half. Also catch into sage your health and the health of your family when deciding upon a deductible. There are a myriad of health care plans available. They can range from HMOs to fee-for-service plans. Each conception has its hold novel pros and cons. Be obvious to do some research and regain all of your questions answered before selecting a understanding.

If you really need to effect money, it is possible to consume a health insurance belief that does not include doctor’s appointment, hospital visits or medical tests. This type of coverage is called catastrophic coverage. If you are a healthy person and rarely go to the doctor, you may be ecstatic with health insurance that will only screen major accidents.

It is very difficult for an individual to negotiate coverage terms and cost with providers. One option is to join a group of other home business owners in order to have more leverage to ask for better rates. Research any trade or professional associations that you are gracious for. Many of these associations offer ways to join groups for health insurance coverage. College alumni associations are another resource when looking for group coverage. You can also contact the local Petite Business Development Center or similar organization for advice and encourage in finding groups to join for insurance coverage purposes.

You can also gape for health care plans that are geared toward exiguous businesses. These plans are specifically tailors to meet petite business needs. You may be able to gather plans that have special premiums and offers.

Although the cost may seem high and the process confusing, it is considerable for a home business owner to judge purchasing a health insurance conception. Think cost, premiums, your health and the health of your family, and types of coverage before making this distinguished decision.

The mutter of health insurance can be a confusing and frustrating one for home business owners. It may seem like affording health insurance is an impossibility. However, health insurance is one expense that you really cannot afford to skip. If you are the important source of income for your family, you must contemplate the ramifications of not having health insurance. Your family is counting on you. One serious accident or illness can lead to the loss of your business and your family’s income.

For those who work from home and have no other employees, you can either choose individual health insurance or group health insurance. Many insurance companies now offer group plans for a single business owner. Prerequisites to purchasing group health insurance will differ for each provider. Individual insurance plans will hold your recent health and any preexisting medical conditions into story when deciding whether or not to give you coverage. However, a group idea cannot refuse coverage based on existing medical problems.

When considering which health insurance understanding to acquire, be positive to judge about how powerful of a deductible you can afford. If you have some money in reserves, you may contemplate a larger deductible. Increasing your deductible from $100 to $2000 can actually lower your payments by half. Also acquire into yarn your health and the health of your family when deciding upon a deductible. There are a myriad of health care plans available. They can range from HMOs to fee-for-service plans. Each notion has its occupy original pros and cons. Be clear to do some research and come by all of your questions answered before selecting a notion.

If you really need to set aside money, it is possible to catch a health insurance opinion that does not include doctor’s appointment, hospital visits or medical tests. This type of coverage is called catastrophic coverage. If you are a healthy person and rarely go to the doctor, you may be jubilant with health insurance that will only cloak major accidents.

It is very difficult for an individual to negotiate coverage terms and cost with providers. One option is to join a group of other home business owners in order to have more leverage to ask for better rates. Research any trade or professional associations that you are noble for. Many of these associations offer ways to join groups for health insurance coverage. College alumni associations are another resource when looking for group coverage. You can also contact the local Puny Business Development Center or similar organization for advice and benefit in finding groups to join for insurance coverage purposes.

You can also glimpse for health care plans that are geared toward minute businesses. These plans are specifically tailors to meet tiny business needs. You may be able to get plans that have special premiums and offers.

Although the cost may seem high and the process confusing, it is notable for a home business owner to think purchasing a health insurance notion. Assume cost, premiums, your health and the health of your family, and types of coverage before making this well-known decision.

Many slight businesses have crucial decisions to perform concerning health insurance. Unfortunately, offering comprehensive health insurance plans to employees can cost a shrimp business a lot of money each year. The business will have to struggle to pay their bills and believe a healthy bottom line. If a miniature business chooses not to offer a health insurance belief, they may risk losing well-known employees.

An overwhelming 95% of slight businesses will fail in the first five years, according to the Minute Business Administration. This is due to many different factors, including lack of interest in the product or service being sold, financial burden, taxes, unforeseen costs, and startup costs. Adding the cost of health insurance for even two or three employees can send a limited business into bankruptcy. Miniature businesses have to get other ways to offer benefits to their employees so that they will remain trusty to the company. But these days with rising health care costs, many employees need the security of colorful that they have health benefits through their employer.

Types of Health Plans

Little businesses have options when it comes to offering miniature group health insurance plans. They can pick out indemnity policies that would require employees to pay for medical costs up front and then be reimbursed. This obtain of health is the least expensive, but detestable to employees who cannot afford to pay out of pocket expenses. Another alternative is to offer employees a basic health care package that will camouflage hospital and some prescription costs. Again, this will cost employees more money. HMO’s and PPO’s are very expensive health plans, but will cloak most medical situations. HSA’s are becoming more current as a contrivance to offer health insurance. These are health savings accounts. Each year, an employee will gain an allotted amount of money that they can exhaust for their health care needs. Exiguous businesses and employees will procure tax breaks that will encourage off state the cost.

Since group health insurance coverage for miniature businesses will cost a lot of money each year, some shrimp businesses have decided to offer other incentives to their employees along with a basic health care concept. These incentives are sometimes enough to preserve employees right to a company.

Thinking Outside the Box

Employee motivation programs are a intention for miniature businesses to offer employees extra benefits without adding to the cost of their health insurance.
Small businesses will offer incentive programs that include:

•
Personal Time or Floating Holidays
•
Company discounts on merchandise or services
•
Tuition Reimbursement
•
Extra Sick Days
•
Business Cards
•
Gym Passes
•
Parking Privileges
•
Direct Deposit Options

There are many other incentives miniature business owners can give to their employees depending on the type of business they are in. Combining these incentives with a basic health care thought will wait on to maintain hard working employees from finding other jobs. Being lenient about leaving work early for a doctor’s appointment or other personal business is another arrangement to preserve employer loyalty.

The Bottom Line

In the destroy, the bottom line will always earn because if a cramped business cannot pay for itself, then everyone will have to gather a current job. Cramped businesses can be a gamble. But with satisfactory planning, thinking of creative ways to offer employees competitive wages, health benefits, and other incentives, a little business can succeed. Research is the best diagram to accumulate out how to finance any business. Creativity and innovation are the ways to retain a exiguous business on the proper track.

Many dinky businesses have crucial decisions to gain concerning health insurance. Unfortunately, offering comprehensive health insurance plans to employees can cost a petite business a lot of money each year. The business will have to struggle to pay their bills and occupy a healthy bottom line. If a miniature business chooses not to offer a health insurance idea, they may risk losing essential employees.

An overwhelming 95% of microscopic businesses will fail in the first five years, according to the Slight Business Administration. This is due to many different factors, including lack of interest in the product or service being sold, financial burden, taxes, unforeseen costs, and startup costs. Adding the cost of health insurance for even two or three employees can send a dinky business into bankruptcy. Runt businesses have to glean other ways to offer benefits to their employees so that they will remain proper to the company. But these days with rising health care costs, many employees need the security of lustrous that they have health benefits through their employer.

Types of Health Plans

Shrimp businesses have options when it comes to offering cramped group health insurance plans. They can seize out indemnity policies that would require employees to pay for medical costs up front and then be reimbursed. This design of health is the least expensive, but despicable to employees who cannot afford to pay out of pocket expenses. Another alternative is to offer employees a basic health care package that will shroud hospital and some prescription costs. Again, this will cost employees more money. HMO’s and PPO’s are very expensive health plans, but will veil most medical situations. HSA’s are becoming more favorite as a design to offer health insurance. These are health savings accounts. Each year, an employee will gain an allotted amount of money that they can consume for their health care needs. Microscopic businesses and employees will procure tax breaks that will support off state the cost.

Since group health insurance coverage for miniature businesses will cost a lot of money each year, some itsy-bitsy businesses have decided to offer other incentives to their employees along with a basic health care belief. These incentives are sometimes enough to preserve employees dependable to a company.

Thinking Outside the Box

Employee motivation programs are a arrangement for microscopic businesses to offer employees extra benefits without adding to the cost of their health insurance.
Small businesses will offer incentive programs that include:

•
Personal Time or Floating Holidays
•
Company discounts on merchandise or services
•
Tuition Reimbursement
•
Extra Sick Days
•
Business Cards
•
Gym Passes
•
Parking Privileges
•
Direct Deposit Options

There are many other incentives exiguous business owners can give to their employees depending on the type of business they are in. Combining these incentives with a basic health care understanding will succor to retain hard working employees from finding other jobs. Being lenient about leaving work early for a doctor’s appointment or other personal business is another arrangement to preserve employer loyalty.

The Bottom Line

In the demolish, the bottom line will always score because if a limited business cannot pay for itself, then everyone will have to score a original job. Runt businesses can be a gamble. But with advantageous planning, thinking of creative ways to offer employees competitive wages, health benefits, and other incentives, a exiguous business can succeed. Research is the best procedure to regain out how to finance any business. Creativity and innovation are the ways to retain a cramped business on the factual track.

In a fresh press release, the Kaiser Family Foundation researched the trends in employer based health insurance plans. They announced that premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance coverage continued to rise. The 2007 look revealed that while the costs continue to rise, they are rising at a slower travel than in prior years. This recognize provides the opportunity for employers and employees alike to compare their company health insurance benefits with overall business trends.

Size of business health insurance
In 2000 over 69 percent of employers offered health insurance; last year approximately 60 percent of businesses offered it. Nearly all businesses that have more than 200 employees offer some type of health befriend to their workers. Less than half of businesses with three to nine employees offer health insurance to their employees.

Cost of health insurance premiums
“Every year health insurance becomes less affordable for families and businesses. Over the past six years, the amount families pay out of pocket for their piece of premiums has increased by about $1,500,” said Kaiser President and CEO Drew E. Altman, Ph.D.

As many Americans know, premiums have risen dramatically. In fact, this behold states that health insurance premiums have risen over 78 percent since 2001. Today’s worker pays an average of over $3,000 towards their health insurance coverage. On average, companies pay a total of $12,100 for a family health insurance policy.

Other findings include:
* The average general annual deductible for single coverage is $461 for PPOs, $401 for HMOs, $621 for POS plans

* For plans with three- or four-tiered drug co-pays, the average co-payments were $11 for generic drugs, $25 for preferred drugs, and $43 fornon-preferred drugs.

* Nearly half (47 percent) of all firms that offer health benefits obtain them available to unmarried opposite-sex domestic partners, and nearly 37 percent offer such benefits to same-sex partners.

* Titanic firms (with at least 200 workers) were more likely to offer domestic partner benefits to unmarried opposite-sex partners

* 61 percent of firms that offer health benefits allow workers to consume pre-tax dollars to pay for their portion of their health premium costs.

* 22 percent offer a Flexible Spending Story, in which workers can dwelling aside pre-tax money to cloak out-of-pocket health care spending.

* Enormous firms (200 or more workers) are far more likely to offer flexible spending accounts than smaller firms.

* Overall, 21 percent of firms say they are “very likely” to raise workers’ premium contribution next year.

* Very few firms say they are “very likely” to restrict eligibility for coverage or fall health coverage altogether

The complete behold is available online at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Source:
http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp? resourceid=3553507

In a unusual press release, the Kaiser Family Foundation researched the trends in employer based health insurance plans. They announced that premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance coverage continued to rise. The 2007 leer revealed that while the costs continue to rise, they are rising at a slower fling than in prior years. This see provides the opportunity for employers and employees alike to compare their company health insurance benefits with overall business trends.

Size of business health insurance
In 2000 over 69 percent of employers offered health insurance; last year approximately 60 percent of businesses offered it. Nearly all businesses that have more than 200 employees offer some type of health abet to their workers. Less than half of businesses with three to nine employees offer health insurance to their employees.

Cost of health insurance premiums
“Every year health insurance becomes less affordable for families and businesses. Over the past six years, the amount families pay out of pocket for their part of premiums has increased by about $1,500,” said Kaiser President and CEO Drew E. Altman, Ph.D.

As many Americans know, premiums have risen dramatically. In fact, this peruse states that health insurance premiums have risen over 78 percent since 2001. Today’s worker pays an average of over $3,000 towards their health insurance coverage. On average, companies pay a total of $12,100 for a family health insurance policy.

Other findings include:
* The average general annual deductible for single coverage is $461 for PPOs, $401 for HMOs, $621 for POS plans

* For plans with three- or four-tiered drug co-pays, the average co-payments were $11 for generic drugs, $25 for preferred drugs, and $43 fornon-preferred drugs.

* Nearly half (47 percent) of all firms that offer health benefits execute them available to unmarried opposite-sex domestic partners, and nearly 37 percent offer such benefits to same-sex partners.

* Gargantuan firms (with at least 200 workers) were more likely to offer domestic partner benefits to unmarried opposite-sex partners

* 61 percent of firms that offer health benefits allow workers to exercise pre-tax dollars to pay for their fraction of their health premium costs.

* 22 percent offer a Flexible Spending Narrative, in which workers can state aside pre-tax money to screen out-of-pocket health care spending.

* Sizable firms (200 or more workers) are far more likely to offer flexible spending accounts than smaller firms.

* Overall, 21 percent of firms say they are “very likely” to raise workers’ premium contribution next year.

* Very few firms say they are “very likely” to restrict eligibility for coverage or topple health coverage altogether

The complete gawk is available online at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Source:
http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp? resourceid=3553507