Knowledge of Healthcare Prices Impacts Spending

About 500,000 employer-sponsored employees covered by health insurance were given telephone or internet access to the actual price of medical services for laboratory tests, advanced imaging services, and office visits. Those who accessed price information over the 3 year study period spent significantly less that those who did not. The largest difference was for advanced imaging services.…

Depression Bites Employer’s Budgets

Of ten modifiable health risk factors, depression cost employer's about 48% more on healthcare than non-depressed employees. Those with high blood sugar or hypertension each cost about 31% more, and those who used tobacco or were physically inactive each cost about 16% more. Effectively implemented health promotion programs should reduce employee healthcare costs. PositiveTip: Do…

Hold the Salt to Lower Health Care Costs!

Dietary salt intake in the U.S. in on the rise, in spite of more and more evidence linking salt intake to hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Reducing salt intake by a modest 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) per day per person is projected to annually reduce new cases of coronary heart disease by up to 120,000, stroke…