- http://newsok.com/trade-talk-nows-the-time-to-make-prudent-healthchoices/ article/3717522
- http://newsok.com/salaried-based-insurance-offers-hope-for-somecompanies/ article/3735941
Provide names of other journalists involved.
N/A
List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Oct. 10, 2012 Dec. 9, 2012
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
More and more employers are considering salary-based models for health insurance premiums, especially as they look toward 2014, when employers with 50 plus workers must offer premiums that don’t exceed 9.5 percent of their household incomes. Varying employee premium contributions by salary can keep lower-wage workers’ costs under that threshold.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
Story tip/idea came from reporter’s high school classmate, whose out-of-state company recently announced to its 450 workers that those who earn more would pay more for health insurance in 2013. A Google search showed salary-based premiums had been around for awhile, mostly between salaried and hourly workers at larger companies like Pitney Bowes and some universities. But upon further research, including on the web sites of the Society of Human Resource Management and Mercer HR consulting firm, the reporter learned others are embracing the model with Obamacare mandates looming.
Explain types of human sources used.
The HR director of a local grocer who’s adopted the strategy. The employee benefits consultant who designed the plan. Info based on a memo from an undisclosed source (reporter’s h.s. friend). Local health care attorney. Local independent insurance broker. Grocery employee.
Results:
None reported, as of yet. The aim was to lead other Oklahoma employers to custom-design similarly creative plans to help workers with affordable health insurance coverage.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Seek local examples through employee benefit consulting firms and other industry observers.