Among the most pervasive actions that companies will take in the next few years, Towers Watson said, were to:

The wide-ranging survey sought participant input on the key health insurance issues of the day. Among the survey's big-picture conclusions:

Employers remain committed to health care for active employees and view it as a key part of their employee value proposition.
Employers don't envision shifting employees to public exchanges for health coverage.
CEOs and CFOs are more engaged in health care strategy decisions, given their significant business implications.
The use of value-based designs and benefit differentials that drive employees to high-performance or narrow networks for medical care is projected to rise.
Employers' actions will have a material effect on employees and their families as a result of companies' growing focus on outcome-based incentives and the way they subsidize coverage for spouses and families.
Employers' interest in private exchanges for active employees continues to grow, but many await additional evidence that this model can deliver more value than their traditional self-managed program.
Employers will use technology as a pivotal tool in strategies to boost employee engagement and improve access to health care.

Instant Insights /

Employers reducing spousal, family coverage