The total cost of healthcare for employees and dependents, including premiums and out-of-pocket costs, is estimated to average $14,800 per employee in 2019 — up more than $700 from last year, according to recent National Business Group on Health research. While employers will pick up about 70% of that tab, the balance will come from employees’ paychecks and wallets.
In the past, employers have attempted to stem the tide of these rising costs by introducing new plans and programs and shifting more of the cost of coverage and care onto employees. However, additional research shows an increasing recognition that these changes may have the opposite of the desired effect. Employee confusion about the many healthcare options, and how these plans and programs work, as well as the increased hit on family income, have resulted in low utilization of programs designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
