What is this ASO?
Administrative Services Only (ASO) is a plan provided to administer employee health claims. ASO involves hiring an external services provider, called third-party administrators, to handle the administration of a company’s self-funded health benefits.
A self-funded ASO plan transfers the financial risk to the employer. In a traditional group insurance plan, the direct risk is on the insurance company. Either way, employees and employers still share the costs of the benefits. In the end, though, the employer handles the shortfall.
Types of ASO
1. Pay-as-you-go plans
Pay-as-you-go plans, which are paid by the employer, vary month by month. Employee claims determine actual amounts to pay. It is the least predictable cost offering for employers.
2. Budgeted plans
Budgeted plan costs remain equal per month. They are established based on the history of claims from the previous year. It is the most predictable approach for employers. The budgeted plan approach will also generate a surplus or deficit, which is typically reconciled annually.
Example of ASO
Underground Inc. operates a large mine with over 500 employees. The company oversees a self-funding mechanism for employee health and insurance benefits. It assumes the risk to ensure that employees pay claim benefits.
Underground Inc. soon realizes that they need outside help in administering the claims. They approach Northern Insurance Co. (NIC) to provide administrative support. Underground Inc. and NIC then enter an Administrative Services Only contract.
NIC charges a flat fee for the service, as well as on a percentage based on the total claims amount. The payment of claims is done by NIC, and in turn, is reimbursed by Underground Inc.
In addition, there must be a cap or limit to such a risk to Underground Inc. To its benefit, NIC also provides stop-loss insurance. The insurance helps to establish a ceiling to the claims. Anything above moves onto the insurance company; thus, mitigating the burden upon Underground Inc.
Traditional Administrator vs. Administrative Services Only
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