Democrats will point to consumer protections in the health care reform law to defend themselves in the midterm elections. It's a shame most people with group health coverage don't appreciate they already enjoy such benefits.

Once the law is fully in effect, carriers will no longer be able to deny someone coverage because of preexisting conditions, or charge them dramatically higher premiums. No one will have their coverage dropped if they are seriously injured or ill.

These are pretty radical changes—that is, if you must buy your own coverage. If, however, you are among the majority who still get insurance through employers, such protections are commonplace.

That's a big reason why many remain so suspicious, even hostile, to the reform law. Secure in the group plan cocoon, they have no clue how precarious and expensive coverage can be for those left to the not-so-tender mercies of the individual market.

If you get health insurance through your company, the carrier takes the group as is. No one is excluded because of a preexisting exclusion. And if someone in the group is badly hurt or becomes very ill, the group insurer can't just dump you as long as you remain with the firm. (If your health problem is work-related, of course, workers' comp will take care of your bills.)

Most plans also cover immediate relatives, at least as an option. While there may be a higher payroll deduction, the added cost is not really that substantial compared to what someone would face if covering their entire family as an individual buyer.

That's a pretty good deal–one that the overwhelming majority of people do not appreciate, as few are aware of how fortunate they are to have group coverage.

Some say the best reform would be to phase-out employer-sponsored plans, arguing that if everyone had to buy their own health insurance, they'd be more cost-conscious consumers.

That may be true, but how many of you would welcome the “opportunity” to depend on the individual market for health insurance–particularly as you get older, or after you or a member of your family is badly hurt or contracts a catastrophic disease?

The system is heavily skewed in favor of employer-sponsored group plans thanks to the tax advantages businesses enjoy when paying for coverage, as opposed to the high hurdle individuals must clear before earning a tax deduction. But the solution is not to force more people into the perilous individual market, particularly for a product that can literally mean life or death.

Perhaps people would appreciate their group health benefits more if they realized how much employers pay for coverage.

Right now, most employees are only aware of how much (if anything) is deducted from their paychecks to cover their share of the premium, as well as any deductibles or co-payments they pay out of pocket if they need medical care.

It would be better if all employers listed how much they spend on each worker's health insurance benefits, both on the regular pay-stub, as well as in some sort of annual benefits statement.

It would be a real eye-opener for most to see how many thousands of dollars are being spent by employers on health insurance. Most would realize that the cost of keeping an employee on the payroll is far higher than just their salary.

Perhaps more people would be grateful for the coverage they have, and better understand the difficulties faced by those without group insurance–especially if they keep in mind that there but for the grace of you-know-who go I.

Special Reports /

Most Are Clueless About Group Health Advantages

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