Does anyone know any subsidies (or regulations) that government has provided to (imposed upon) health insurance companies to act more as pre-paid services (low to no deductible and low to no co-pay for routine or inexpensive care) than true insurance agencies?
I know HMO’s are subsidized and must meet coverage guidelines to be certified as an HMO. I’m looking more towards the period before HMO’s were created.
It is obvious there are tax incentives for employees to receive insurance through their employer rather than directly purchase it. Does anyone have greater specifics on this?