Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements
Abstract
Multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs) provide health benefits to employees of two or more firms at lower cost than that of conventional insurers. MEWAs are designed to give small firms access to health coverage on terms similar to those available to large firms by avoiding costly state regulation of insurance. Although MEWAs have been touted as a low cost, equitable source of health coverage for small firms, in recent years they have become widely known to create insolvencies that have left numerous employers and employees liable for millions of dollars in unpaid health claims. To better understand MEWAs' place in the health insurance market, this report analyzes the dynamics of the small group insurance market, describes the alternative forms of MEWAs, and summarizes state regulation of MEWAs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA260638
Entities
People
- Arleen Leibowitz
- Cheryl Damberg
- Kathleen Eyre
Organizations
- RAND Corporation