Relentless Health Value

I have the same burning question that I think many of you have: If I am a self-funded employer, as a result of this pandemic, will my health care costs go up? This question boils down to an equation that has two parts: the additions and then the subtractions. In the Additions column, how much will an employer spend on COVID-19 treatments—you know, both the ICU visits but also employees who haven’t been to the doctor in 15 years, get a cough, go to the doctor, and get diagnosed with some underlying condition (maybe after a lot of lab work and a few CT scans), and potentially wind up, for example, on some expensive therapy? Back to our equation: In the Subtractions column, we have shelter in place, whether by mandate or fear based. Everyone who is forgoing or has forwent elective surgery or follow-up visits or anything else in a fee-for-service world results in less costs for an employer. Doctor visits are down 35% to 80%, depending on the specialty. And, nothing for nothing, health care industry revenue is an