Ten Questions to Ask about Your Group Health Plan

1. Does your current group plan positively influence your employees?

2. Have you considered the cost savings of partial self-funding since the most recent federal and state health insurance reforms?

3. Are all premiums (paid by the company and the employee) accounted for on a pre-tax basis?

4. Do you have sufficient information about claims payments to help you make effective plan "design" decisions?

5. Are you aware (for most employer/employee groups) that the "risk" has been substantially eliminated for partial self-funded plans?

6. Do you have procedures in place to assure compliance with the numerous regulations surrounding benefit plans?

7. Are you familiar with the "claims only" cost dental plans?

8. Is your benefit program(s) communicated (annually) to employees in a manner that helps them understand their benefits and create value for your company?

9. Has your company considered Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) as an alternative for reducing medical plan costs and providing a supplemental tax-advantaged retirement plan?

10. Have you seriously considered partial self-funding lately?