Annual NBGH survey reveals employers accelerating shift to consumer-driven health plans

Although health care benefit increases are predicted to slow down (increasing to 6.5% in 2015, slightly lower than 7% in 2014), employers are speeding up transitions to full-replacement high-deductible health plans. New survey data from the National Business Group on Health show that the number of employers offering an HDHP as the sole health benefits option is expected to surge by nearly 50% next year. 

Despite the expected dip in cost increases, “large employers haven’t lost sight of the fact that rising health care costs remain a significant issue that needs to be constantly addressed,” says Brian Marcotte, NBGH president and CEO.

More likely, employers haven’t lost sight of the “Cadillac tax” that the Affordable Care Act will impose on high-cost plans in 2018. NBGH finds that employers are making benefit plan changes to curb costs and stay below the threshold for the excise tax:

• 73% are adding or expanding tools to encourage health care consumerism.
• 57% are implementing or expanding HDHPs.
• 53% will either add or expand wellness program incentives.

Although communication wasn’t specifically noted in the NBGH report, it goes without saying: Employers that effectively communicate HDHPs and other health benefit changes will experience greater engagement, perceived value, understanding and satisfaction by employees—all of which add up to higher return on investment for companies. To assist employers in making these changes successfully, we encourage you to explore our free resources, including:

• Our recently completed Benefits Communication Master Class session, “Building engagement: Making HDHPs and HSAs a success,” which outlines our surefire formula for success in preparing for a year-one launch or working toward growing engagement and enrollment in an existing plan.
• The free Choosing Wisely Employer Toolkit, featuring ready-to-send articles, blog posts, tweets and fact sheets that can be easily customized and distributed to employees. The Choosing Wisely initiative, led by ABIM and Consumer Reports, strives to open and widen communication channels between doctors and patients to identify the best, most necessary care.