The National Business Coalition of Health just released a study based on data from its eValue8 comparison tool. The study’s findings include great news for individuals with chronic conditions and employer-based health insurance. The average health insurance plan is doing more to cover the medication and equipment needed, due to higher employee demand. The result is less expensive co-payments for consumers.
Visible Trends in 2008:
- Asthma. 32% of insurance plans reduce co-payments for treatment, and 19% eliminate them entirely.
- Diabetes. 33% of insurers reduce co-payments, and 27% waive them.
- Hypertension. 20% of insurers waive co-payments, and 28% reduce them.
In addition, the NBCH also found that 43% of employer-sponsored health insurance plans don’t charge co-payments for preventative health care visits, such as check-ups.
Hopefully, individual health insurance policies will soon follow suit in offering greater access to care.
