Understanding the Health Care Challenge
Where MSU’s Health Care Dollars Go
Between July 2007 through June 2008, MSU’s medical plans covered close to 23,000 participants (active employees and their family members). The average claims cost for health care services per participant was $3,357. This is up 6.9% from the same period during 2006/2007.
The chart below shows how we used our benefits – it’s reflective of participants’ visits to the doctor and other health care providers, prescription drug use, hospital visits, outpatient care, lab work and tests and mental health-related visits. Costs are reported by category: inpatient services, outpatient services and prescription drugs.
- Inpatient Services: Inpatient services made up 35% of our claims costs. This includes (but is not limited to) services such as doctor’s office visits, specialist’s office visits and annual preventive care; and hospital services including inpatient surgery, long term care, maternity (delivery and hospital stays), and hospitalization for other illnesses or injuries.
- Outpatient Services: Outpatient services made up 43% of our claims costs. This includes (but is not limited to) services such as outpatient surgery and related physician’s/specialist’s visits, emergency room visits, outpatient laboratory work, outpatient CAT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and x-rays, dialysis and home health care.
- Prescription Drugs: Prescription drugs made up 22% of our claims costs. Claims reflect the cost of prescriptions drugs supplied through mail order and at retail pharmacies, and costs for specialty/biotech drugs.
Remember, the choices you make when you seek care can have a significant impact on MSU’s costs. You can take simple steps: use generic prescription drugs whenever appropriate; seek care through network providers whenever possible; actively partner with your doctor if you face a chronic condition or you need to make changes in your lifestyle (e.g., losing weight or quitting smoking). Refer to How You Can Help within this site for more ideas on the steps you can take to manage MSU’s costs and, in doing so, improve your own health and well-being.
More Information
Medical Coverage 101: How Does Health Insurance Work?
“Fully-Insured” vs. “Self-Insured”: What is the difference?
Self-Insured Plans: Your choices make a difference.
Talk the Talk: A Glossary of Key Benefit Plan Terms
By the Numbers: What MSU Spends on Health Care