Group insurance helps small outfits -
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Published on: 4/26/2004
Last Visited: 4/28/2004
Jason Weilage, vice president of Weilage Benefit Specialists in Middletown, agreed that the plans can help small-business owners but added that it's only a temporary fix to the health insurance problem.
He said several things must happen to improve the situation, including consumers becoming more involved in the costs and price-shopping their medical procedures.He also said hospitals must be more accountable for their billings, and employees need to be able to customize their plans so they don't waste money being overinsured.
Weilage also said group plans haven't been as popular in the past because of "cherry picking," where the rates rise over time and the healthy people leave, while the sick stay on, and rates rise again.