Large employers shifting health costs to workforce

August 18 01:00 2014 by ushadmin

A survey of 136 large corporations by the National Business Group on Health found that employers are preparing for an increase in healthcare costs by making changes to their benefit plans. The main approach planned to help defray costs is shifting more of the responsibility for cost onto employees.

73% of employers are adding tools to prompt individuals to be better consumers; 57% will create or broaden high-deductible health plans (nearly one-third will offer that as their only option) and more than half will implement or expand incentives for wellness programs. A small number of employers are also considering using private exchanges.

Narrow provider networks are only being implemented in about one-quarter of large employer plans. Even fewer, only 13%, will use incentives for employees to use a narrow network.