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What are the opinions of CEOs and boards of directors on single-payer healthcare?Dan Munro:“The thinking among business leaders is mixed - but largely falls into 2 big camps - not surprisingly at completely opposite ends of the spectrum.Those for single-payer. Typically small and medium sized businesses that are getting crushed trying to compete for talent with health benefits of the large corporations. On this end of the spectrum are companies like MCS Industries - and tens of thousands of others. The CEO of MCS got so frustrated by runaway healthcare costs that he personally bankrolled a documentary - Fix It Healthcare At The Tipping Point - to argue in favor of "single-payer" healthcare.Those for keeping the status-quo (typically called employer-sponsored insurance - or just ESI). On this end are the giant corporations that can afford to heap lavish benefits on their best employees - and keep wages artifically depressed for everyone else. Companies like Google, Amazon, Intel, Microsoft etc...Not to single anyone out, but Intel is a good example here - because they have moved aggressively into the actual business of healthcare delivery.Like most large companies, Intel is "self-insured," so they have no need to rely on brokers, TPA's or insurance companies to actually provide the insurance risk - only as contracted entities to manage the benefits.This model is now being extended into what's called a narrow-network (typically one large provider), employer-driven ACO (Accountable Care Organization).Intel adopts narrow network to better manage careDissatisfied with previous cost and quality efforts, computer chip giant Intel Corp. has entered an unusual direct contract with Presbyterian Healthcare Services for a narrow-network, accountable care-style arrangement for its employees in New Mexico.The arrangement, which started in January (2013), covers about 5,400 individuals at Intel's manufacturing plant in Rio Rancho, N.M. The California-based software developer and computer chip maker, which is self-insured, decided to contract directly with a single provider system rather than working with a national commercial health insurer this year to administer its benefits for some of its eight health plans options. Intel declined to name the insurer.The question here quickly becomes - should healthcare be tied to employment? Many Americans don't realize that we're the only industrialized country with this model of employer-sponsored healthcare benefits - and it's largely an accident of history (WWII).”See both of Dan Munro’s answers to:How big is the tax exclusion for Employer-Sponsored health insurance (ESI) compared to Medicare and Medicaid?Why aren't the public and the politicians more willing to get rid of employer-sponsored insurance?

The thinking among business leaders is mixed - but largely falls into 2 big camps - not surprisingly at completely opposite ends of the spectrum.Those for single-payer. Typically small and medium sized businesses that are getting crushed trying to compete for talent with health benefits of the large corporations. On this end of the spectrum are companies like MCS Industries - and tens of thousands of others. The CEO of MCS got so frustrated by runaway healthcare costs that he personally bankrolled a documentary - Fix It Healthcare At The Tipping Point - to argue in favor of "single-payer" healthcare.Those for keeping the status-quo (typically called employer-sponsored insurance - or just ESI). On this end are the giant corporations that can afford to heap lavish benefits on their best employees - and keep wages artifically depressed for everyone else. Companies like Google, Amazon, Intel, Microsoft etc...Not to single anyone out, but Intel is a good example here - because they have moved aggressively into the actual business of healthcare delivery.Like most large companies, Intel is "self-insured," so they have no need to rely on brokers, TPA's or insurance companies to actually provide the insurance risk - only as contracted entities to manage the benefits.This model is now being extended into what's called a narrow-network (typically one large provider), employer-driven ACO (Accountable Care Organization).Intel adopts narrow network to better manage careDissatisfied with previous cost and quality efforts, computer chip giant Intel Corp. has entered an unusual direct contract with Presbyterian Healthcare Services for a narrow-network, accountable care-style arrangement for its employees in New Mexico.The arrangement, which started in January (2013), covers about 5,400 individuals at Intel's manufacturing plant in Rio Rancho, N.M. The California-based software developer and computer chip maker, which is self-insured, decided to contract directly with a single provider system rather than working with a national commercial health insurer this year to administer its benefits for some of its eight health plans options. Intel declined to name the insurer.The question here quickly becomes - should healthcare be tied to employment? Many Americans don't realize that we're the only industrialized country with this model of employer-sponsored healthcare benefits - and it's largely an accident of history (WWII).

There are two ways to sign up for Delta Dental insurance:Through an employer sponsored plan.As an individual.There are 4 advantages to signing up through an employer:Employers typicaly contribute a % of the premiums.Employee shares of the premiums are deducted from the employees paycheck, pre-tax, reducing the employees tax burden.Employers handle the billing (less admin work for the employee).Perhaps most importantly, there are no waiting periods on employer sponsored plans.Signing up for Delta Dental insurance as an individual.If you have a specific dentist in mind, like Dr Ho (above), then you likely need a Delta PPO plan, as many dentists don't accept Delta HMO.Delta Dental only offers PPO policies through certain general agencies and brokers - you can't purchase PPO coverage directly from Delta's website.Here is a link where you can review Delta PPO plans: http://www.dentalandvision4u.com/?id=07919-00000Unlike employer sponsored Delta Dental coverage, individual PPO plans have waiting periods for major services, so if you decide to purchase coverage you should have an intent to keep and use it long-term.