As the cost of providing healthcare to employees continues to rise, companies are searching for new ways to save money. Take for instance cost shifting: According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, almost one-third of all employers have increased employee deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, or the employees’ share of premiums. Additionally, more than one in five employers have increased co-payments and the proportion of dependent coverage costs. Not surprisingly, nearly one in six smaller organizations have gone so far as to reduce their workforce or adjusted working hours so that fewer employees qualify for health benefits. While these strategies may indeed reduce the bottom-line, they come at a great expense to their workforce and company culture.
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