title: Total system costs and the case of the executive's hernia.
abstract: This article describes the advantages of taking a total system cost approach in the development of a benefits plan that improves employee health, productivity and profitability. It discusses the benefits and points out the possible pitfalls to the total system cost approach in providing employee health care. A research model is used to assess the value of certain medical procedures and technologies. To exemplify the point more clearly, the author uses a most interesting case study alluded to in the title of the article.
authors.affiliation: William M. Mercer, Inc., Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sinclair
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D003363:Cost Control; D017281:Cost of Illness; D017049:Employer Health Costs; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010559:Personnel Management / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States