The unintended consequences of Obamacare are coming thick and fast (and not just from tin-foil-hat-wearing blogs [3], mainstream media [4], or political party ignorance [5]). This time it is UPS, who announced that due to the higher costs under Obamacare will drop 15,000 spouses from its health insurance plan. As CNN reports [6], an internal document obtained by Kaiser Health News said the policy will apply to non-union US workers (saving what is expected to be a $60 million rise in costs). More 'anecdotal evidence' [5]... UPS justified its move by saying that 35% of companies intend to do the same thing...
Via CNN, [6]
United Parcel Service is planning to drop 15,000 workers' spouses from its health insurance plan, citing higher costs due to Obamacare.
In an undated memo to employees, UPS said it will discontinue coverage for all working spouses who are eligible for insurance with their own employer. That applies to roughly half of the 33,000 workers' spouses covered by UPS today.
The internal document was obtained by Kaiser Health News. UPS told the nonprofit news agency that the policy applies only to non-union U.S. workers and will save about $60 million a year. UPS has not yet responded to questions from CNNMoney.
The reason UPS gave employees: The company is willing to take care of its own, but it won't bear a burden that other companies can take on.
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"We believe your spouse should be covered by their own employer -- just as UPS has a responsibility to offer coverage to you, our employee," the memo states.
In the memo, UPS justified its move by saying that 35% of companies intend to do the same thing, but didn't cite specific market data.
A recent survey by consulting firm Towers Watson found that next year, 18% of employers will require that workers' spouses buy insurance from their own workplace first.
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UPS's move is the latest example of the corporate response to Obamacare, although the law won't start to kick in until Jan. 1.
Aside from fear of rising premiums, the Affordable Care Act will also require employers to pay a fee for every person on their plans. It's going to start at $63 next year, then slowly decrease.