b'BUSINESS fi calls for higher out-of-pocket maxi- ve years and 100% over the past decade.Over26%ofworkersmums,lesscomprehensivecover-have deductibles of at least $2,000age and lower benefi ts ceilings.a year, with higher ones more com- Bear in mind that a majority of monatsmallfi saidKaisersuch plans does not cover wellnessrms, researcher Matthew Ray.visits, prescriptions, mental health Inadditiontodeductibles,andmaternity,saidJessicaDu employees must usually pay a por- Bois,aninsurancebrokerinthe tionofthecostsincurredwhenWashington,D.C.,region. Alack theyvisitin-networkphysicians.of prescription drug coverage can The most common arrangement is abe especially damaging, since drug copayment (a fi xed dollar amount)prices are rising much faster than for visiting a doctor, although someother health care components.companieshaverequirementsfor coinsurance(apercentageoftheAssociation planscoveredamount).In2019,theThe U.S. Department of Labor is average copayments were $25 forissuingregulationstoexpandthe primary care and $40 for special- availabilityofassociationplans, tycare. Theaveragecoinsuranceanotheroptiongearedforthe rateswere18%forprimarycareneeds of smaller employers.and 19% for specialty care. TheseAssociationplansletemploy-amountsweresimilartothoseiners pool within similar geographic 2018. locationsorindustries,saysDu Bois. Spreading the risk over more Finding a plan people generally results in a lower-Astheabovenumberssuggest,ing of premiums. employers are tackling high healthOneproblemwithassocia-insurancecostsbyutilizingvari- tionplansisthatbusinesseswith ousformsofcostsharing.Theyhealthyindividualsmayendup arealsoconsideringlesscostlysubsidizing the steep medical bills optionspromotedbytheTrumpof others. administration.TheseincludeStill, they can be a viable path for short-termpolicies,associationhealthcare coverage. The NTCA, for healthplans,andmorefl exibleinstance, offers its 1,600 members healthreimbursementarrange- adiscountedprogramforhealth, ments (HRAs).life,dental,vision,supplemental Employers with tight budgets mayplans and more through Campbell be especially attracted to the short- Petrie, together with BENAdvance. term plans that sport monthly pre- NTCA members and eligible family miums as low as $200. However,membershaveaccesstoaturn-thefi printofsuchplansoftenkey, blue-chip benefi ts package atne 38 TileLetter | April 2020'