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This article by Katie Kuehner-Herbert for Benefits Pro discusses how many Americans - even those with insurance - are skipping doctor's visits because of high out-of-pocket costs.

In many organizations, HR departments are often solely responsible for making decisions around employee healthcare, with CFOs and other leaders coming onboard for final approvals.   However, key player involvement – especially from the CFO – early in the process can be a game-changer when it comes to creating a more effective and well-rounded healthcare program for staff.

CFOs (should) play a critical role in supporting decisions around employee healthcare, going beyond simply signing off on the budgetary needs. The process begins early by getting curious and asking tough questions about how healthcare spending has been tracked and audited within the organization, and where there is opportunity for more savings.

A recent study from DirectPath, an employee engagement and healthcare compliance technology company, has found that employers are looking for “creative methods” to slow down healthcare costs.

Healthcare is one of the biggest line items in a nonprofit’s budget, but CFOs are often on the periphery of the decision-making process. However, making a well-rounded decision that focuses on both the budget and employee satisfaction requires that CFOs become more intimately involved in employee healthcare management, working closely with other key players such as the CEO and HR manager.

Image: SHRM

Todd Hixton, contributor for Forbes, takes a look at how small businesses are faring under the uncertainty of healthcare these days. He poses the question, "What health benefit strategy makes sense for small businesses until the direction of the new administration becomes clear?"

Bruce Y. Lee, a contributor for Forbes, writes about how the types of health insurance available can make a difference in what jobs people take.

This article from BoardSource, written by Mike Wurtsmith, discusses the importance of nonprofit boards playing a role in employee healthcare purchasing.

Jean Moore writes for Mercer Signal about the clout employers hold when it comes to employee healthcare purchasing, and how organizations can positively influence the future of healthcare.

Dan Gorenstein writes this must-read for Kaiser Health News, highlighting one research physician’s personal experience on a high deductible health plan when he had an emergency, and how it plays into his research on HDHPs and consumer health.