Manufacturing Today Issue - 221 February 2024 | Page 30

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A helping hand for healthcare

How to protect and retain workers with low-cost healthcare plans

In the US , minimum essential coverage and high-deductible health plans are a necessity for some manufacturers . A healthcare navigator can assure employees get the most from their benefits .

If you are operating in the US manufacturing sector , there is a very good chance that you are offering your employees health insurance . A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS ) shows that 91 percent of the US manufacturing workforce has access to employer-provided healthcare benefits , with 74 percent participating .
By comparison , only 57 percent of the entire US workforce receives healthcare benefits from their employer ( and only 74 percent even have the option ).
For manufacturing companies , then , health insurance is a big deal . And as premiums continue to increase , it ’ s a bigger and bigger cost . According to the BLS report , manufacturing employers pay , on average , $ 506.64 per month for each employee receiving single coverage and $ 1322.92 per month for those signed up for family coverage . Ten years ago , those numbers were $ 332.47 and $ 984.13 .
Those rising costs mean that providing health benefits is only getting more difficult . There are options for manufacturers looking to contain costs , but they do come with some drawbacks for employees .
Two ways to save on employee health insurance High deductible health plans ( HDHPs ) can reduce monthly premiums , but they also place a larger burden on employees who face higher out-of-pocket costs before insurance coverage kicks in , currently up to $ 15,000 for a family plan .
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