How well do you know healthcare?

1. In a recent survey of 503 members, addressing which workplace health issue is members' top priority?

Lack of healthy food options

Workplace stress

Ergonomic concerns

Building health (mold, clean air/water, pest infestations, etc)

Workplace stress. In the survey, which was made available electronically to all 503 members who work for the state, 60% of respondents stated that addressing workplace stress issues—generally caused by workload and bully bosses—should be a high priority in the fight to improve health care. Addressing flex time options (which would contribute to lowering workplace stress) was also an important issue for front-line workers.

Explanation

Workplace stress. In the survey, which was made available electronically to all 503 members who work for the state, 60% of respondents stated that addressing workplace stress issues—generally caused by workload and bully bosses—should be a high priority in the fight to improve health care. Addressing flex time options (which would contribute to lowering workplace stress) was also an important issue for front-line workers.

2. Which of the following health conditions have been tied to highly stressful work environments? Check all that apply.

Obesity

Chronic headaches/migraines

Heart disease

Ulcers

Stressful work environments have been known to cause or contribute to all of these conditions. In fact, workplace stress is such a problem in this country that OSHA has declared stress a workplace hazard.

Explanation

Stressful work environments have been known to cause or contribute to all of these conditions. In fact, workplace stress is such a problem in this country that OSHA has declared stress a workplace hazard.

Submit

3. What steps could be taken to get PEBB healthcare costs under control? Check all that apply.

Unions and allies could produce research on PEBB providers to show which are efficient high performers, and which providers waste money through various inefficiencies.

Plans could raise their premiums, and the state could pass those costs on to state employees through higher premium shares, deductibles, and co-pays.

Employers could ensure that workplaces are healthy, including reducing workplace stress, and allowing employees to utilize flex time to meet their personal health goals.

Workers could do more to manage their own health through exercise, a healthy diet, and other good habits.

The only “solution” that wouldn’t get costs under control is raising premiums (choice 2). Raising premiums does nothing to control costs as doctors, hospitals and insurance companies keep getting paid their increases while the costs are simply shifted to employers and workers.

Explanation

The only “solution” that wouldn’t get costs under control is raising premiums (choice 2). Raising premiums does nothing to control costs as doctors, hospitals and insurance companies keep getting paid their increases while the costs are simply shifted to employers and workers.

Submit

4. What percentage of 503 members surveyed reported that they suffer health problems due to a stressful work environment?

One-tenth

One quarter

More than a quarter, less than half

More than half

More than half. Of the respondents who answered the question, 52% said they have experienced health problems due to stress caused by a heavy workload. More than a quarter—28%—of respondents said they suffered health problems due to stress caused by a bully boss.

Explanation

More than half. Of the respondents who answered the question, 52% said they have experienced health problems due to stress caused by a heavy workload. More than a quarter—28%—of respondents said they suffered health problems due to stress caused by a bully boss.

5. According to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, _____% of healthcare expenditures nationally are the result of waste (unnecessary procedures, fraud, excessive administrative costs, etc.).

5%

12%

25%

30%

30% of health care costs nationally are attributable to waste. This represents $750 BILLION per year!

Explanation

30% of health care costs nationally are attributable to waste. This represents $750 BILLION per year!

6. Since 2001, healthcare costs under PEBB have increased...

At less than the rate of inflation

At about the same as the rate of inflation

Three times the rate of inflation

Five times the rate of inflation

Five times the rate of inflation. In the last ten years, PEBB costs have more than doubled, having increased by 111%. By comparison, the composite rate of inflation in the same time period has been 23%, and COLAs have increased state employee wages by 18%.

Explanation

Five times the rate of inflation. In the last ten years, PEBB costs have more than doubled, having increased by 111%. By comparison, the composite rate of inflation in the same time period has been 23%, and COLAs have increased state employee wages by 18%.

7. Healthcare costs account for _____% of state workers' average total compensation.

12%

18%

23%

31%

23%. The percentage of total wages allocated toward health care costs has doubled from its 2001 rate of 12%. Today the average cost of health insurance per employee per month is $1263.

Explanation

23%. The percentage of total wages allocated toward health care costs has doubled from its 2001 rate of 12%. Today the average cost of health insurance per employee per month is $1263.

8. Of the amount of money that's spent on medical waste, _____ is due to practices that may actually make people sicker.

One-tenth

One quarter

More than a quarter, less than half

More than half

More than half. 51% of waste is attributable to missed prevention opportunities (7%, or $55 billion), unnecessary services (27%, $210 billion), and inefficiently delivered services and errors (17%, $130 billion).

Explanation

More than half. 51% of waste is attributable to missed prevention opportunities (7%, or $55 billion), unnecessary services (27%, $210 billion), and inefficiently delivered services and errors (17%, $130 billion).

9. If a person works in a highly stressful environment, how much more likely are they to have a heart attack than someone who works in a low- or moderate-stress environment?

No more likely.

10% more likely.

23% more likely.

38% more likely.

23% more likely. According to a recent report published in "The Lancet," employees who work in a high-stress environment (defined as environments where employees have a heavy workload and no control over their work).

Explanation

23% more likely. According to a recent report published in "The Lancet," employees who work in a high-stress environment (defined as environments where employees have a heavy workload and no control over their work).

How Well Do You Know Healthcare?