UnitedHealth Group and several Fortune 500 firms, including Sears, Sprint, General Electric and IBM, are teaming up to offer a range of low-cost health insurance and discount cards to workers who don’t currently qualify for coverage, from part-timers to early retirees.
The program, dubbed “National Health Access,” was developed by the HR Policy Association at the behest of 60 major corporations. It was officially unveiled at the World Health Care Congress in Washington last week, with coverage expected to begin in the fall.
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Uniprise, the large-employer division of United, was closely involved in designing the suite of products, and United would be the main insurer in the program, though CIGNA and Humana will also offer specific services in some locations.
The products would range from a card providing small discounts for drugs and medical, dental, eye and hearing exams; to deeper discounts and coverage for some doctors’ visits and even outpatient surgery; to high-deductible health insurance with a health savings account (HSA).
A 38-year-old Chicago woman, for example, could get the discount card for $4.41 a month, “wellness” coverage for $49.83, primary care and outpatient coverage for $140.59, and major medical coverage, through Humana, for $336.85 to $394.96.
Participating companies wouldn’t pay for the products, but rather offer them to workers, contractors and retirees who don’t qualify for regular benefits, to be bought at their own expense. Franchises with more than 50 workers could also participate.
The HR Policy Association estimates that at least 3 million currently uninsured Americans could benefit, including retirees not old enough to qualify for Medicare.
Open enrollment is scheduled to begin Sept. 1, pending state-by-state regulatory approval. Local United spokeswoman Debora M. Spano said at least some of the products – the discount cards – will definitely be offered in Rhode Island. HSA-eligible health plans are currently illegal in the state except at self-insured companies.
Both United and the participating companies are describing the new program as a major effort to reduce the ranks of the uninsured.
“It is unacceptable that 44 million Americans do not have health insurance,” UnitedHealth Group CEO William W. McGuire said in a news release. “UnitedHealth Group has long held that business, government, health care providers, health insurers and consumers themselves all have a role to play in fixing the problem. We see innovative programs like National Health Access as part of a mosaic of solutions needed to address this problem.”
The product suite is designed to maximize workers’ choices, so they can get coverage to meet their specific needs without having to pay for other items they can’t afford. Following the consumer-driven health care model, subscribers would also get access to information about the quality and costs associated with specific providers.
Participating companies must commit to the program for at least two years. In exchange, Uniprise would keep rates more stable than is typical of the national individual insurance market, with premium increases only allowed once per year.
“Certainly, this program by itself does not solve the entire problem of uninsured Americans,” McGuire said. “There is still more to do, but National Health Access demonstrates an important commitment on the part of large companies to do their part.”
It’s unclear how many of the 60 firms that enlisted the HR Policy Association to develop the program will end up signing up. Each company’s human resources department is now reviewing the details, with formal commitments expected soon, Spano said.
