David Berg, Redirect Health

Healthcare is seeing advances in all quarters: treatments, delivery, provider systems. And cost. Here in Phoenix, we’re at the epicenter in all of these areas.

Deciding on a healthcare plan for your employees is a tough decision. This is not only a serious issue for business, it affects everyone in America. Every year, it gets more expensive for employers, and is getting to be completely unaffordable for many families. Average annual premiums have now exceeded $20,000 for a family of four, and deductibles can reach over $15,000. What can they do? Some suggest that working for the government or a large corporation might make it easier, but that is not the answer.

Small business is the heart and soul of America, so I am concerned about them. For the small employers and their employees, it’s no longer possible to even pretend the arithmetic can work. So, many small-business owners and CEOs are considering new ways of thinking about how they can provide health benefits to stay competitive for hiring and retaining employees. The reality is, nobody is predicting fixed monthly and out-of-pocket health insurance costs are going to come down. Maybe our federal or state governments will figure something out soon, but it’s not likely. The bottom line is, companies must find new and innovative ways to stay competitive. Providing affordable access to healthcare is the answer.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with In Business Magazine for several years as the magazine has explored businesses’ needs and options related to employee healthcare benefits. I was pleased when they approached me to share the experiences of many of the clients of Redirect Health as part of the cover story for this issue, looking at cost containment options.

Harrison Monarth shares storytelling techniques that business leaders — even those who are not natural-born raconteurs — can apply in communicating their business’s mission and selling points. Feature article “Convey Complex Ideas Simply and Persuasively” gives tips and examples of these storytelling techniques.

This issue also has several articles from local business leaders sharing their expertise on a range of valuable topics. Tyler Butler continues her “Social Impact” series on businesses applying corporate consciousness to affect our community. Bruce Weber and Charlie Smith premier their “Capacity” series in talking about developing and sustaining organizational capacity in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. And Andy Maurer debuts his “Mind Matters” series discussing mental fitness and well-being for business leaders (and, actually, anyone).

It’s hard to pick out just some of the content to highlight here, as articles cover valuable information on a wide range of subjects that business owners deal in every day as well as trends in different industry sectors. And there is also a regular feature on where to go to, perhaps, get out of business mode; Power Lunch spotlights places around town to enjoy a meal.

Also in this issue is In Business Magazine’s annual “Healthcare Decisions: Open Enrollment & Healthcare Guide for Business” updated for 2019.

Please enjoy this November issue of In Business Magazine.

David Berg, D.C., is the president and co-founder of Redirect Health. Redirect Health helps employers and their employees work together to avoid unnecessary healthcare costs — so it becomes available to everyone in the company.

Dr. Berg is the winner of the Phoenix Business Journal 2017 Health Care Innovator Award, the author of The Business Owner’s Guide to Fighting Healthcare, and was a finalist for three “Best in Class” awards at the 2018 World Health Care Congress in Washington, D.C.