WASHINGTON — According to global consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide, employees will continue to pick up more responsibility for choosing and financing their benefits in 2007. Driving the change are regulations and employer focus on cost control of health insurance premiums.
Some of the health care benefit trends that Watson Wyatt foresees in 2007 include:
o Increased focus on high-deductible health plans coupled with a reimbursement arrangement like health savings accounts. One-third of large employers surveyed by Watson Wyatt plan to incorporate an HDHP with a reimbursement account in 2007.
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o More benefits information and tools online. Web-based systems allow employees to model the best choices for them, and many allow plan participants to pick the best provider by reviewing online report cards grading the quality of care.
o Moving beyond mandatory generic prescription drug plans. As more popular prescription drugs come off patent in the next three years and their prices are reduced, employers will loosen their requirements that employees use generic drugs whenever possible.
o Greater integration between health care and absence management programs. Coordinating such programs will grow in popularity as employers seek to improve employee health and productivity.
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