Employers are still debating how to stave off future healthcare cost increases and incent employees to take on more responsibility for their health. In describing emerging employer attitudes and healthcare strategies, a tailoring of approaches can be observed, in which distinct issues, such as chronically ill employees, are being addressed through specific tools, incentives and disease management programs. The newest results released by the Health Research Institute of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Management Barometer demonstrate the evolution of employer attitudes on benefit design, consumers and quality.
These findings are based on a survey of over 100 top executives. From this research, PwC's HRI submits:
- Support for the employer-based model remains strong…
- …but, for retiree health coverage there is less certainty.
- Nearly two-thirds of employers agreed that employees with unhealthy lifestyles should pay more.
- Employers continue to provide information on quality and cost but realize that information alone is not enough.
- Employer provided incentives and support remain key elements.
- Wellness and consumerism are everyone's business
Employers must increasingly customize their approaches to providing health benefits to the unique health needs and behaviors of their workforce. Fortunately, a growing number of tools are available to activate employees. Tailoring the right approach may be challenging but not impossible.
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