Health Packages Guide Workers Toward HSA Plans

Humana Inc. has agreed to cap group health rate increases for employers that take steps such as steering employees toward high-deductible health savings account plans.

Humana, Louisville, Ky., say a typical “No Worry” package might include a traditional managed care plan in the first year, a higher-deductible preferred provider organization plan with a “benefit allowance” feature in the second year, and a high-deductible, HSA-compatible plan in the third year.

Humana is promising to hold annual premium rate increases to 6% during the second and third years for eligible employers.

Employers that add Humana dental coverage and meet other requirements, such as getting 90% of employees to complete a Humana health assessment questionnaire, can get rate increase caps of just 4.5%, Humana says.