Often you take into account multiple factors while finalizing a health insurance procurement deal including pricing, service levels, insurer’s brand image, etc. Therefore, how can you assess if you are paying a fair price for group health insurance? On the pricing aspect, you can evaluate fairness based on the following factors –
Claim ratio –
claim ratio or loss ratio is defined as the ratio of the claim amount settled to the total premium paid (including endorsement premium) during the course of the policy.
The below table lists how the industry perceives claim ratio –
| Claim Ratio | Category |
| < 75% | Low |
| > 75% but < 90% | Optimum (Healthy) |
| > 90% | High |
| > 120% | Bleeding |
If the claim ratio of your policy falls in the optimum category, similarly, it is likely that you have paid a fair price for your group health insurance policy. Maintaining a claim ratio in the optimum range, i.e. between 70% to 90%, has long-term benefits for the insured including premium sustainability and continuity. Once the claim ratio crosses 120%, the policy is said to be bleeding, i.e. insurer has incurred large losses on the business and is likely to raise renewal premiums significantly.
Comparison with individual premiums –
A comparison of group premiums with individual premiums is a good benchmark to evaluate premium fairness. Typically group premiums are significantly lower at lower age brackets (approximately 25% cheaper for age brackets below 40 years). And either match up or are higher than individual premiums at higher age brackets (age brackets greater than 60 years). Hence, the reason for higher group premiums for higher age brackets is due today to one coverage and liberal enrollment feature in a group policy.
Competition – In general the procurement process mandates seeking quotations from multiple channels for comparison. Therefore, Competition automatically brings the best deal to the table in terms of pricing, coverages, and services.
About The Author
Mayank Sharma
MBA Finance
He is a professional who brings extensive knowledge and expertise to the field of group health insurance. He has dedicated 7years to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of insurance. Having worked closely with numerous clients and insurance providers, he deeply understands the nuances of group health insurance policies. With a reputation for providing insightful and informative content, he leverages his industry experience to educate readers about the importance of group health insurance and its benefits. Through their articles, Mayank Sharma aims to empower individuals and businesses to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage, ultimately promoting healthier and more secure communities.
