Stefanie Zachery March 24, 2011

Employers, HR, and Benefits personnel have been working diligently to implement plan design changes based on mandates in Health Care Reform. Yet, even with all of those efforts employers’ health care costs are expected to increase by 7% in 2011 according to research by the National Business Group on Health and Towers Watson.

The study reinforces the significant challenges employers’ face with their ability to reduce or maintain health care cost moving forward. Twenty-one percent of those surveyed said they plan to implement a medical claim audit and 23% will review health care benefits as part of a total rewards strategy. In fact, with dependent coverage, 62% of employers will increase employee contributions for dependents, with 35% currently using or planning to implement spousal waivers or surcharges.

Implementing a Dependent Audit will keep benefits costs down for your organization and your employees and could offer a significant return on investment. Learn more about this solution by visiting The Dependent Audit Guide or Contact Us.

A link to download the full survey report can be found by clicking below: http://www.towerswatson.com/assets/pdf/3946/TowersWatson-NBGH-2011-NA-2010-18560.pdf