IBM Employees in U.S. to Receive Free Health Care
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In an effort to curb rising costs for employees and for the company, IBM will be picking up the tab on health care costs for primary care in 2010. "Employees enrolled in IBM plans will receive full coverage throughout the year--no coinsurance or deductible--for in-network primary care with their internist, family practitioner, pediatrician, general practitioner or primary osteopath," said IBM in a news statement. This isn't the first effort by Big Blue to help keep employees healthy and functioning productively, nor is it the only company picking up primary care. The company had been picking up the tab on mammograms for women over 40 and colonoscopies for employees, an IBM official told Bloomberg News. "This new approach advances IBM's advocacy of wellness, preventative and primary care--the cornerstone of keeping people healthy and productive," said Randy MacDonald, senior vice president of human resources, in a statement. "As a result of our focus on wellness and primary care, IBM employees have become healthier and our costs are rising more slowly." After a year of many job eliminations in the United States and Canada and moves that transitioned many jobs to other countries, IBM appears to be mending some employee relations for those remaining in the country. Estimates from the Alliance@IBM union put IBM layoffs at 10,000 in North America in 2009. IBM does not release statements on job reductions when they occur. The company posts total employee staffing numbers in its annual report. "We believe in giving people incentives to get health care early and often," said Marianne DeFazio, director of health care benefits and strategy at IBM, to Bloomberg News. "When people have no barriers to getting primary care, you catch things early and you prevent things." IBM said it has saved roughly $191 million in health care costs between 2004 and 2007 after investing in $79 million in wellness programs. |
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Comments (7)
IBM scams the media again. The truth is that co pay for employees is going up as high as 47%!
Posted by IBMer | October 31, 2009 10:43 AM
This article is not accurate and completely distorts the truth. IBM has increased the cost of Healthcare coverage from 30-47%.
For example, my family plan covers my family of 3 and costs are $312 a month. Next year that same plan and coverage will cost $459 a month. That's 47% and $147 a month increase. My current co-pays for primary and pediatric care average about $12 to $15 a visit when sick. If we each went to the Doctors once a month (which we don't, more like twice a year at that)....we're only paying $36-$45 a month on co-pays.
So what you didn't cover is WHY the huge increase in policy cost to the employees.
As the saying goes, if it looks too good to be true it usually is.
Posted by Nancy Hegarty | October 31, 2009 11:40 AM
While it is true that IBM offers a no monthly fee program for care, there are charges for care such as x-rays, lab tests, maternity, specialists and emergency care with a deductible.
Posted by IBM Employee | November 3, 2009 1:41 PM
What about RETIREES? They have an even MORE need for (cheaper) healthcare premuims???
Regards,
Vic DeWindt...
Posted by Vic DeWindt | November 3, 2009 7:21 PM
It is FREE if you don't really get sick. Just a few doc visit won't matter much.
IBM saves more money on self-insured health care because... more and more seasoned or older employee are gone or the job is replaced by contractor. I guess health care in BRIC country is really cheap.
Posted by Former Long Term IBMer | November 3, 2009 10:41 PM
This article is way too distorting. IBM has no intention of patching things up with NA employees. They are hiring people locally in Dubuque, and laying off another 1000 across the country in the process. They do not care how good an employee is, only how much they cost.
Posted by Future ex-IBMer | November 4, 2009 7:51 PM
I'm a IBM widow, my late husband worked for IBM for 34 years. They forced him to take the very last golden (parachute) in Dec. 2006. He was retired over 20 years and took a big cut in pension,so I would get his full pension when he died. We're talking about a lot of money here. Then he was killed and I'm left to pick up the pieces. Another blow when I learned we were wiped out all our retirement savings gone compliments of Bernie Madoff!. Then I lost my job and my mortgage is underwater..IBM takes a big chunch from the little pension I get for health care preminum with a $4000 deductable.So I'm stuck for all the co-pays and out of pocket charges etc. etc. I'm barely hanging on. IBM says my husband agreed to a levelling off in his pension and signed a paper to that effect. My husband never knew about that or would have mentioned it and I have all the retirement dockments here and there's no mention of that . IBM refuses to produce the document he supposedly signed , because there is none. This was after I first wrote to them and stated my case , pleading and willing to take what they owed me and sign any contract releasing them from any further obligationn. I appealed to the CEO, but it was useless, they in turn said I could appeal , but my meager pension would be suspended while they appeal was ongoing. By the way what IBM gives me is half again what they gave my husband. I dont have the money to spend on attorneys and am glad my late husband's not around to learn all the horrible things I've discovered about IBM as he had that company especially Mr. Watson on a pedastal. I read Mr. Black's book and was dumbfounded. My late husband was a decorated hero He was liberating the camps while Old man Watson was working with the Third Reinch. He must be turning in his grave. But if anyone has any information on this levelling off business I'would be glad to hear it , or how I can go after those SOB's. Thanks , Paula.
Posted by paula dugan, | November 14, 2009 6:51 PM