Unit 3 Discussion – Alternative Payment Plans

Alternative Payment Plans

The discussion for this unit diverges from the main topic of case management to focus on a key point of managed care: alternative payment plans. Alternative payment plans include: Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s), Medical Savings Accounts (MSA’s), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA’s), and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s). An employer can choose to offer these types of accounts to employees as part of a benefits package. Learn more about alternative payment plans through research and discussion with classmates.

Instructions:

• Read the article, Consumer-Driven Health Care: What Is It, and What does it Mean for Employees and Employers?
  • Yi, S. (2010) Consumer-Driven health care: What is it, and what does it mean for employees and employers? (Links to an external site.) [Online PDF].
• In the article, refer specifically to Exhibit 1. Comparison of various pretax savings accounts and relationship to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)
• Select two plans and research each in greater depth.
• Complete the items below upon completing research:

1. Generally, how can alternative payment plans be beneficial?
2. Explain new information about the selected two plans discovered through research.
3. Describe personal experience(s) with alternative payment plans.
4. List at least one outstanding question that remains upon completion of research on alternative payment plans.

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format.

Estimated time to complete: 2 hours

This topic is valued at 40 points. Please review post and response expectations. Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets criteria.

Cite any resources/references in APA formatting that were used in the discussion – if applicable.

Peer Responses/Participation

Due Sunday

Continue the discussion of alternative payment plans with classmates through interactions in the discussion board.

Instructions: Read the posts of 3 classmates and respond with the following information:

• Select a classmates’ post to answer the question(s) raised about alternative payment plans.
• Answer the question(s), referencing research material as applicable.
• Describe 2 new pieces of information gained from the classmate’s post about alternative payment plans
• Relate to the classmates’ experiences with alternative payment plans
• Provide an additional point of consideration on this topic to the classmate
• Complete these steps for responses to 3 classmates

Please be sure to validate your opinions and ideas with citations and references in APA format. Estimated time to complete: 45 minutes x 3 (2 hours, 15 minutes total)

Please review post and response expectations. Please review the rubric to ensure that your response meets criteria.