Staff Report
Published Aug. 10, 2012

South Carolina is among the national leaders embracing consumer-driven health care plans, according to Rosenfeld Einstein's 2012 South Carolina Employer Benefits Survey.

Sixty percent of the 130 businesses surveyed offer such plans, up from 46% in 2010, Rosenfeld reported.

Survey highlights South Carolina is among national leaders in embracing consumer-directed health care plans, with 60% of surveyed companies offering such plans, up from 46% in 2010. Wellness programs are gaining ground, now offered by 56% of employers. Personal health assessments, offered by 66%; employee assistance programs, 70%; and discounts for non-tobacco use,39%, are positive indicators. 56% of South Carolina companies offer two or more plans to select from. 75% of employers offer 401(k), 403(b) or profit-sharing plans. Short-term disability coverage is offered by 76%, and long-term disability coverage by 86%. Long-term care insurance is offered by 19% of state participants, and cancer insurance by 35%.

High-deductible health plans, which include either a health reimbursement account or health savings account, are priced advantageously in South Carolina at an average of $385 for single coverage compared with $399 nationally.

Meanwhile, premiums for preferred provider organization plans, or PPOs, average around $406 for single coverage in South Carolina compared to $465 nationally.

Employee contributions are higher in the state compared to the national average, for both high-deductible plans and PPOs. For PPO single coverage, employees contribute an average of $92 toward premiums versus $84 nationally. For high-deductible health plans, single coverage averages $59 in South Carolina versus $60 nationally.

Deductibles run significantly higher, with average PPO deductibles in South Carolina at $1,449 for single coverage and $3,693 for family coverage, versus national averages of $928 and $1,521, respectively. For high-deductible health plans, single deductibles in South Carolina average $2,255 versus $1,908 nationally, while family deductibles average $4,620 in South Carolina and $3,666 nationally.

The 2012 South Carolina Employer Benefits Survey is conducted biannually by Greenville-based Rosenfeld Einstein to help South Carolina businesses benchmark benefit programs to evaluate their competitive position.

The 130 participating companies represent more than 39,000 employees in various industries, said Howard Einstein, principal of Rosenfeld Einstein.

"These findings provide actionable, current information to guide future benefits planning decisions,” Einstein said.