Another new program aimed at helping part-time or seasonal employees has been put into operation across the country with the help of a non-profit organization.
The program features a low-cost, limited health benefit option and is sponsored by the HR Policy Association, a nonprofit organization powered by senior personnel executives, Already participating in the program and enrolling employees are units of General Electric, I.B.M., Sears, Avon Products, the computer-storage company EMC and the auto supplier Federal-Mogul.
Six more large employers plan to start enrolling uninsured workers in the next few weeks, and five additional companies will join early next year, said Jeff McGuiness, the president of the association, whose members are personnel executives at 250 of the nation's largest employers.
Those eligible include independent contractors like Avon sales representatives, as well as temporary and seasonal employees, and their spouses and dependents.
The companies are taking a small first step toward slowing the spiraling growth of the uninsured, who now number more than 45 million. They acknowledge that the program is far from an overall solution, but they are addressing a challenge that government officials have largely ignored, said Steven M. Coppock, a senior actuary at the Hewitt Associates benefits consulting firm, which is helping the association with the program.
"Because our health system is primarily employment-based, it makes sense for large employers to take collective action to try to come up with innovative, collaborative solutions to this pressing problem," said J. Randall MacDonald, a senior vice president for human resources at I.B.M.
The coverage will be financed from the premiums paid by participants, with no subsidy from employers. But by pooling large numbers of their people, the employers say they hope to lower individuals' insurance costs by spreading the risks and attracting relatively healthy participants who will outnumber those in need of care. As members of an employee group, people with medical problems typically escape the higher premiums that insurers require from individuals with "preconditions."
Options include a discount card for drugs and medical and dental checkups, which will also provide access to a 24-hour advice center run by nurses.
The nurse line was added and the monthly cost of the card was raised to $6.99 from $4.41, after focus-group discussions with potential enrollees, Mr. Coppock said. In a revealing example of purchaser psychology, some potential enrollees expressed skepticism that any card that cost less than $5 would be worth having, he noted.
The UnitedHealth Group is offering the discount card and four levels of limited coverage in all 50 states at monthly premiums ranging from $59 to $149. In 15 states, United will also offer high-deductible policies that cover major medical costs, under the same group rules with no add-on charges for people with preconditions.
The major medical premiums vary based on an enrollee's age, sex and location. Humana will offer the high-deductible policies to individuals in 17 states and Cigna will offer them in Arizona only. Under these individual contracts, premiums may also be higher for those with preconditions.
