Other findings

The prevalence of employer-sponsored health plans remains unchanged in 2009, at 65 percent of all employers. Among large employers (500 or more employees), health benefits are nearly universal.
Health care flexible spending accounts are offered by 27 percent of all employers but 85 percent of those with 500 or more employees. The average employee contribution is $1,424, well below the $2,500 cap that has been suggested in health reform proposals.
COBRA take-up rates rose after Sept. 2008 for half (51 percent) of all large employers.
Mental Health Parity: About half of large employers (49 percent) were already in compliance with the requirements of the Mental Health Parity Act; 47 percent have made (or will make) changes to their behavioral health coverage to comply, in most cases by removing special coverage limits.
Spousal coverage: Surcharges or other special provisions to limit election of coverage for spouses who have other coverage available are used by 12 percent of large employers, up from 8 percent in 2008. An additional 5 percent are considering adding such a provision.
Retiree medical: There was no further erosion in the prevalence of retiree medical coverage in 2009. Among large employers, 28 percent offer an ongoing plan for pre-Medicare-eligible retirees, and 21 percent offer one for Medicare-eligible retirees. Ten years ago, in 1999, these figures were 35 percent and 28 percent, respectively.
Mini-med or limited health programs: Low-cost plans that are intended to cover routine or preventive care only (as opposed to catastrophic care) – are offered by 7 percent of large employers and 20 percent of those with 20,000 or more employees. Large employers in the wholesale/retail industry, which typically employ a lot of part-time employees, are the most likely to offer these plans (17 percent). There was no growth in offerings of these plans in 2009.
Worksite clinics: More than a fourth of large employers (27 percent) offer an on-site or near-site medical clinic for occupational health services; 11 percent of large employers offer a clinic for primary care services.

Instant Insights /

Employers curb health benefit cost increase in 2009

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