|
|
Article: The trend to "give what's appropriate."" (mental health-care benefits)(includes related article) (Cover Story)
- Article from:
- HRMagazine
- Article date:
- January 1, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 Society for Human Resource Management. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
In the 1980s, corporate America was buffeted not only by skyrocketing costs in its medical plans but by its mental health and substance abuse benefits as well--only worse.
While the cost of employer medical benefits increased about 10 percent a year, the cost of mental health benefits shot up 15 percent and even 20 percent in many plans.
"Throughout the late '80s and early '90s, mental health and substance abuse was the fastest growing portion of health-care plans," said Tom Billet, a principal in Stamford, Conn., for the benefits consulting firm Foster Higgins. The reasons, Billet said, run the gamut: from a dearth of established treatment standards for ...