Even though the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will make insurance exchanges available to people who need coverage, that hasn't led to an increased number of employers suggesting they'll stop providing employee benefits to their workers, some polls suggest. At the same time, though, they're not increasing available benefits either.
According to MetLife's 10th annual study of employee benefits trends, approximately seven in 10 employers surveyed said they will maintain their current level of benefits provided to their workers. However, due to the increasing cost of healthcare, 30 percent said that they will shift some of the expenses to the employee.
Though it may take up a greater portion of workers' pay, the benefits saved is better than the alternative. Approximately 55 percent of small business employees said they were willing to take on a greater share of the costs if it meant they could maintain their health benefits.
Norman Michaels, president of his own employee-benefit consulting firm, told InsuranceNewsNet that the implementation of the Affordable Care Act may, in fact, be increasing costs for some business owners.
