U.S. employers are stepping up cost management efforts as they prepare for health care reform requirements, according to a new survey out this week.

Mercer, the human resources consulting firm, found employers' health care costs grew 4.1 percent in 2012—the smallest increase in 15 years. Employers credit employee health management and a jump in consumer-directed plan enrollment with helping to slow cost growth.

"Employers are very aware that in 2014, when the health reform law's provisions kick in, they will be asked to cover more employees and face added cost pressure," says Julio Portalatin, Mercer president and CEO. "They've taken bold steps to soften the impact and it's paying off already."

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