Employers Turn to ‘High-Performing’ Physicians for Cost Savings (1)

Some of the largest companies in Wisconsin are hoping to save money on health care this year by setting up insurance plans that steer employees to primary care physicians who provide high-quality care for less money.

The half-dozen employers in eastern Wisconsin are expected to save more than 15% of $12,000 per employee in annual medical costs—about $10 million this year for the 5,000 employees who enrolled in the plans, Dave Osterndorf, chief actuary of plan administrator Centivo, said.

The companies include Robert W. Baird & Co., Northwestern Mutual, American Roller Co. LLC, and the Guardian Life Insurance Co.

The ...