More firms shift health costs to workers

March 12th, 2010, 5:00 am
Jan Norman, small-business columnist

Many companies plan to shift some health-care costs to employees, the Washington Post says, reporting on a survey by National Business Group on Health and human resources consultant Towers Watson.

The survey of large employers mirrors an earlier survey by Mercer, a benefits consultant, that found 63% of employers of all sizes shifting health costs to their workers.

Fifty-six percent of the companies with 1,000-plus employees plan to shift health-care costs to workers.

What about at your work?
--------------------------------------------------------

Has your employer shifted health costs to workers?
• Significantly
• A little
• No change
• Costs cut/ benefits improved

View Results
==============================================

Among the higher costs employees might have, according to the National Business Group/Towers survey:

•Higher premiums, deductibles and co-payment requirements
•Fee or surcharge to enroll spouse in company insurance plan
•Exclusion of overweight employees from some insurance coverage
•Financial rewards for blood pressure, weight and cholesterol targets
•Employer offering only high-deductible insurance plans
These shifts reflect the rising costs for employer-based health coverage as well as companies ongoing struggles with profitability.

http://jan.freedomblogging.com/2010/03/ ... ers/32903/