The recently released 2011 Indiana Healthcare Benefit Survey found healthcare costs in the state increased 6.9 percent for individual coverage and 8 percent for family policies. Nearly 20 percent of employers increased their policies' deductibles by an average of 49 percent.
The survey of 215 employers responsible for more than 170,000 workers found many were forced to take measures to reduce costs, with 18 percent indicating they preferred to increase the cost to employees while 44 percent chose to reduce benefits provided instead.
"The survey reinforced what we have been observing in our practice – that employers are shifting to high deductible plans and looking for ways to put more of the healthcare costs on the shoulders of their employees as costs continue to escalate," said one researcher.
While healthcare costs in Indiana were found to be higher than the national average, the difficulties are more widespread. The National Center for Policy Analysis recently indicated almost 1 out of 10 mid-sized or larger employers in Texas anticipates cutting employee health coverage programs in 2014, when insurance exchanges begin operating.
If companies begin dropping coverage, those offering employee benefits may find it a strong force to attract and retain employees, according to Texas Insider.
