Employee medical benefits costs are rising at double-digit levels globally; however, some regions are experiencing stabilized cost increases, according to a new survey from Towers Watson, a global professional services company.

The survey also finds that traditional cost management approaches are most widely used, but wellness programs and health promotion strategies are becoming increasingly popular as employers strive to promote healthy lifestyles among their employees and improve outcomes.

In 2012, the global cost of employee medical benefits is expected to grow 9.6 percent. Although this figure is lower than the 9.8 percent increase in 2011 and 10.2 percent increase in 2009, costs are anticipated to rise at double-digit levels in four of the five global regions this year. Only Europe is expected to experience single-digit increases.

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