Soaring health care costs are a top concern for employers and they are regularly seeking ways to manage the rising costs associated with providing employee benefits.
Short-term cost reduction strategies include asking employees to shoulder a greater share of the costs and managing how benefits are delivered. Longer term strategies incorporate educating employees to increase awareness of benefit plan costs and encouraging employees to live healthier lifestyles.
Other alternatives employers use to manage health care costs include disease management programs, wellness initiatives and dependent eligibility verification audits.