Aon Consulting survey: Companies overhauling medical programs for employees

CHICAGO The 2009 Benefits & Talent Survey by Aon Consulting, released Wednesday, has found that 41% of employers are expecting to make more substantial changes to their 2010 medical program than they did for calendar 2009. Specifically, 70% are planning to increase employee contributions and 67% are expecting to raise deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance or out-of-pocket maximums, making the cost of health care more expensive next year.

In addition, more than half of employers are expecting to introduce or expand a wellness program next year, and 34% are planning to introduce or increase financial incentives for wellness programs in 2010.

“As in year’s past, many employers are expecting to shift additional healthcare costs to employees in 2010 to share the burden of double-digit rate increases,” stated John Zern, U.S. Health & Benefits Practice Director with Aon Consulting. “However, it may be more dramatic next year, as many organizations try to avoid taking other drastic measures such as layoffs or salary freezes. Conversely, the good news is found in that more than half of employers are planning to either introduce or expand wellness programs, in an effort to build a healthier and more productive workforce, and ultimately lower healthcare costs.”

The survey found 41% of employers offer a gift card or merchandise as an incentive, and of those organizations that offer at least one incentive, 39% offer between $50 and $249 as the maximum value an employee can earn in one year.

Aon Consulting surveyed 1,313 employers nationwide as part of its 2009 Benefits & Talent Survey.