Enformed Online Newsletter Autumn 2011

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Autumn 2011

Dear Visitor,

The Autumn 2011 edition of the Enformed newsletter is included for your review. This issue highlights a discussion of Value Based Benefit Design (VBBD) along with an article from the Entrust Risk Management Services actuary, Hobson D. Carroll, FSA, MAAA. We are also featuring a new service highlight on 4G Biometrics. I hope you find the information to be useful when considering your benefits.

Edward A. Jacobson, CEO

website: www.entrustinc.com

	In This Issue: David Jacobson, Vice President, Entrust,Inc. discusses "Value Based Benefit Design" Also in this Issue:		HOT TOPIC Value Based Benefit Design? "What exactly is Value Based Benefit Design and how can it help save money on my benefit plan?" VBBD, as defined by the National Business Coalition on Health, is the use of plan incentives to encourage participants to adopt one or more of the following: •Appropriate use of high value services, including certain prescription drugs and preventive services •Adoption of healthy lifestyles, such as smoking cessation, weight loss programs or increased physical activity

	Kansas City employers save $11 million in health care costs By Kathleen Koster September 20, 2011 The Kansas City Collaborative (KC2), a three-year long value based benefit project, succeeded in helping the 15 participating employers share best practices for overcoming health care challenges. Nine of these companies reported that they have saved almost $11 million in direct health care costs by implementing a value-based benefits initiative.		Is your Health Plan Compliant? The implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act continues to cause confusion among legal staffers and HR professionals. Please refer to the following update which summarizes some of the key provisions that may impact your plan next year. To view this issue's PPACA Update, check Here.

	Health Insurance, Meet the Jolly Green Giant* By Trudy Lieberman It's official now.　 The government has proposed that descriptions of health insurance policies will resemble those nutritional labels on canned and packaged foods—the ones you look at to find out how much sodium there is in Birds Eye peas versus the A&P brand. Instead of getting the scoop on salt or sugar, shoppers will learn what they have to pay out-of-pocket for various medical services. They'll also get some general information, like what services are not covered, and how much they'll have to pay for maternity and diabetes care and breast cancer treatment, all organized in a standard format designed for easy comparison shopping. Insurers will have to translate common insurance jargon into plain English. The health reform law requires these "Coverage Fact Label" disclosures, and tasked the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) with creating them. (*Used with permission courtesy of the Center for Advancing Health, www.preparedpatient.org )		Health is wealth. Without good health nothing can be achieved! Many employers already recognize the value of comprehensive health programs in reducing health care costs and improving the health and productivity of their workforce. We offer several programs that are intended to help employees stay healthy. This month, we are adding a very important program to assist diabetes sufferers. 4G Biometrics provides the necessary high tech devices free of charge* that not only can make tracking blood tests easier but also adds the ability to contact a Health Care Provider if readings are out of range and pose a serious threat. Check out this new offering at 4G Biometrics Entrust also provides a number of measures designed to promote health and wellness programs, including: WorldDoc and MedCostOnline. *when testing supplies are obtained from 4G Biometrics. These are covered by most Insurance Plans.

	Are your immunizations up to date? You can be proactive about your health by taking charge with a flu vaccine. The flu vaccine, taken yearly, is one way to stay healthy. The flu vaccines today have been improved, as they are now made with a killed virus. So now there is virtually no way you can get sick from getting the flu shot. Just remember: A yearly flu shot is much cheaper than repeat visits to your doctor, medications, and lost time from work. Prevention is the key to keeping your medical cost down! For a complete list of recommended immunizations, please click Here.		Entrust can simplify your Plan Design! If you are having difficulty complying with PPACA or any other complicated legal or compliance issues, let Entrust help you navigate these treacherous waters as we do for all of our clients. We stand ready, willing and able to provide administrative services for your plan and take care of compliance as part of our global service to you. We also consult on the compliance component only.Contact Clint Wilson or (281) 368-7878 ext. 505 for more details.

	Actuary's Corner Value Based Benefit Design (VBBD) By Hobson Carroll, FSA, President and Consulting Actuary for Entrust Risk Management Services, Inc. September 7, 2011 "VBBD" – sounds a bit like a New York ad agency or a law firm, doesn't it? Actually, a better interpretation is: "common sense design of your health plan so that it helps you and saves everyone money over the medium and long term." Some people may think this leads to a management conspiracy, as is illustrated by:

	The “Enformed online” newsletter is published by Entrust, Inc. as a courtesy to our clients and friends. It is intended to be informational and does not constitute legal advice regarding any specific situation and is subject to change. Please consult with your legal and tax advisors before applying this information to your situation. The information is proprietary and confidential to Entrust, Inc. Copying is restricted without the prior written consent of Entrust, Inc.

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