OnSiteClinics.Org

Health Insurance Company Profits

For the first three quarters of 2010, health insurance companies have now reported profits in excess of $9.3 billion – yes, that’s Billion with a capital B.  And, the spokesperson for America’s Health Insurance Plans said (believe it, he really said this) that Democrats shouldn’t focus on company profits but instead on the overall costs of health care.  Who cares that insurance company profits are out-of-control – focus on costs and reduce them (doesn’t that inversely raise their profits then, if premiums don’t go down? Call me crazy, but I think it does.). 

One of the best ways to stop this is to set up on-site clinics with a medical home and wellness programs – there is absolutely no question that costs go down (or at least stabilize) and health improves – along with company productivity, profits, etc.  It’s a win:win situation, seems almost like a “no brainer.”    There are plenty of articles, not just on this Web site, but all over the Web that demonstrate the savings on a data-driven level.  Why wait?  The self-funded firm is not buying insurance, so why pay for insurance-style services?  Negotiate for TPA and management services and let the cost savings inure to your own bottom line (not the insurance company’s).

There may be a reason to call the health reform process, that has commanded everyone’s energies over the past two years, an “insurance reform” program; but the results are not yet in.   What we do know is that the you won’t gain control over costs by buying an insurance plan for your employees and then waiting to see what might happen.