Cost sharing may reduce your health care costs
Dual Option includes a base offering (with employer funding) from which the consumer may choose to "buy up" for more comprehensive coverage. This flexible option allows consumers to pay for upgraded coverage through a variety of deductible and coinsurance choices, with a higher level of benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs.
Cost sharing encourages consumers to seek routine and preventive care by making those services available for only a copayment.
By adding a deductible and coinsurance for other limited types of in-network care, cost-share plans ask consumers who use high-cost services to pay a greater portion of the cost. Out-of-pocket maximums help keep this share from being overly burdensome. Instead of being passive recipients, consumers are empowered to make cost-effective decisions about the type of health care that is right for them.
For most consumers, the in-network deductible and coinsurance associated with cost-share plans does not greatly increase the amount they pay for health care. In fact, when compared with a plan that relies on higher premium contributions to control the employer's health benefit costs, cost sharing may reduce costs for the majority of consumers who have normal health care needs.
