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Percentage of all covered employees now enrolled in CDHPs
Employers with a plan on track to hit the excise tax threshold in 2020 if they make no changes before then
Employers with 500+ employees that are likely to terminate health coverage within 5 years
Growth in total health benefit cost per employee in 2015
Average projected increase in health benefit cost in 2016, after making planned changes
Average percentage that cost would rise if employers made no changes to their plans in 2016
The threat of health reform's excise tax has heightened the business imperative to control health benefit cost, and the survey found employers taking action on several fronts in 2015. They added low-cost consumer-directed health plans -- and enrollment in these plans reached a milestone 25 percent of all covered employees.
With a view toward long-term cost management, they added programs that support employee well-being by addressing sleep disorders, resiliency, and financial health. And they pursued innovative approaches to restructuring provider reimbursement to drive higher-value care.
Mercer Director of Research for Health & Benefits Beth Umland discusses how employer-sponsored healthcare has changed over the history of the National Survey.
Mercer experts have been widely quoted in news outlets across the country following the release of the National Survey of Employer-sponsored Health Plans. Below are some highlights of what they have been saying.
“When CDHPs were first introduced, the concept made intuitive sense but we didn't have the tools we have now to help employees actually become better health care consumers. I think we're finally turning the corner.”
Tracy Watts, US Health Care Reform Leader Plan Sponsor“We see a lot of folks right now projected to be affected in 2018, if they don't change their plans.”
Matthew Snook, Health & Benefits Partner Orlando Business Journal“The sky hasn't fallen in terms of cost increases.”
Beth Umland, Director of Research for Health and Benefits Forbes“There are many more tools available today to help people take care of themselves and to help them shop more effectively for the care that they need.”
Tracy Watts, US Health Care Reform Leader Business Insurance“For employers with high-cost plans that aren't what most would consider 'Cadillac,' that 2018 deadline is a tough challenge.”
Tracy Watts, US Health Care Reform Leader Plan Sponsor“New York employers are going to start to feel the squeeze to make a change.”
Barry Schilmeister, Health & Benefits Principal in New York City Crain's New York Business“We are seeing additional success with things like consumerism, some success with value-based care, and a focus on workforce health.”
Andrew Rosenberg, Office Business Leader in Indiana Indianapolis Business Journal“I have a philosophy to manage health care costs: employers have to do it like the Royals played baseball. They have to play small ball. Everybody wants a grand slam, but you need singles and doubles, and RBIs. If you put a bunch of those together, they effectively help us win a World Series.”
Mark Whiting, Health & Benefits Principal in Kansas City Kansas City Business Journal“More generous plan designs typically result in higher employer plan costs and year-over-year increases, in part, since plan members could be less price sensitive...”
Chris Amery, a consultant in Mercer's Philadelphia practice, on the higher-than-average cost of healthcare in the area. Philadelphia Business Journal