Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
The Cost-Benefit Calculation For High-Deductible Health Plans
As companies push workers to pay more for their medical care, millions of employees are facing a tough decision, choosing between high premiums and high deductibles. The choice is this: Pay more every month for peace of mind later, or pay less and run the risk of having higher out-of-pocket costs down the line. (Abelson, 10/31)
About one-fourth of consumers would rather file their taxes than go through the ordeal of selecting a health insurance plan, according to a recent UnitedHealthcare survey. About 28 percent would rather get a teeth cleaning. But this month, many Americans will have no choice but to begin the often-reviled exercise of choosing insurance for next year — a task made particularly painful by rising prices and, in some cases, fewer choices. According to several recent surveys, yet another reason may be behind consumers' anxiety when it comes to choosing coverage: They don't understand it. (Schencker, 11/1)
