2004 Cost Survey

Summary of the 2007 Health Care Cost Survey

Each year, the Alliance for Health and The Employer's Association conduct a survey of their member organizations in West Michigan regarding the cost of providing health care benefits to their employees. While national comparative data is available, this survey is unique in that it compiles LOCAL data, offering more realistic comparisons.

233 companies participated in this year's Survey. Following are a few charts representing results of the survey. Not every company answered every question.

The entire survey is available by contacting Alliance for Health. There is a cost for the survey for members ($75 electronic, $100 hard copy) and non-members $150 electronic, $175 hard copy).

(posted 8/21/07

Sample Questions from the 2007 Survey

Does your company have any type of plan for paying insurance premiums, medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax earnings (a Section 125 plan)?

Yes	86%
No	14%

Do you have a benefit plan where employees are provided a fixed dollar amount to apply toward the purchase of benefit options from a wide variety of choices?

Yes	8%
No	92%

Do you offer a choice of medical plan / coverage options?

Yes	47%
No	53%

Number of plans offered:

1 plan	52%
2-3 plans	40%
4-6 plans	7%

Options offered to employees to decline health insurance coverage (with proof of other coverage):

Cash/pay		90%
Additional/alternative benefits		5%
Other		5%

Do you provide health care benefits to retired employees?

Yes	16%
No	84%

Are part-time employees eligible for benefits?

Yes	26%
No	74%

Average Monthly Plan Cost - 1 Person
		2007

All Traditional Indemnity Plans	$ 385
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$ 389

All HMO Plans	$ 335
Blue Care Network	$ 270
Grand Valley Health Plan	$ 384
Priority Health	$ 343

All PPO Plans	$ 321
Community Blue	$ 308
Humana	N/A
Principal	$ 209
Priority Health	$ 451

All POS Plans	$ 369
Blue Choice	$ 439
Great West Healthcare	$ 386
Priority Health	$ 349

All Self-Funded Plans	$ 317

All HSA & HRA	$ 267

All Plans	$ 329

All Plans	Avg Cost
Employee Only	$ 329
2 Person	$ 675
Family	$ 853