Lindsay Leeder, Senior Vice President of Labor Union and Trust at Lantern Care, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the rising healthcare costs facing unions, Lantern's approach to specialty care and strategies for containing expenses while ensuring quality care for members.
Leeder began by highlighting the staggering 91 percent increase in per-member-per-hour benefit costs since 2004, attributing much of this rise to healthcare consolidation and a shift toward specialized care. She explained that specialty care, including surgeries, infusions and cancer treatments, accounts for about 50 percent of healthcare spending despite only affecting 8 percent to 12 percent of the population. Leeder said this cost concentration presents challenges and opportunities for unions seeking to effectively manage their healthcare funds.
Lantern is a specialty care platform that connects individuals with high-quality care when needed, focusing on containing costs. Leeder described their work with unions like SEIU 32BJ and the National Railroad Health and Welfare Plan. She emphasized the importance of accessibility, excellent providers and a concierge experience for members. By negotiating directly with providers and facilities, Lantern can often significantly reduce costs for procedures like knee replacements while maintaining quality care.
Finally, Leeder stressed the importance of transparency and predictability in healthcare costs for union members. She noted that unexpected bills can devastate families even with top-tier union benefits. Lantern's model aims to provide clear cost information upfront, allowing members to make informed decisions about their care. Leeder said healthcare is one of the few industries where costs aren’t always provided before the procedure, and there are facility fees that can be used to drive up pricing, further hurting members and health funds. Lantern hopes their approach not only helps contain costs for the fund but also reduces financial stress for individual union members.
Listen to the full episode of America's Workforce Union Podcast to hear more about Lantern's approach to healthcare cost containment for unions.
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