Apparently the corporate world is composed of three-quartersfollowers and one-quarter leaders. At least that’s what an AonHewitt survey focusing on health plan strategies indicates.

The consulting firm surveyed 1,000 companies about theirintentions with respect to health insurance revisions. Three-quarterssaid they had no particular strategy, but simply watched theirrespected peers to see what actions they took. And then theyfollowed.

Even more influential were peers located in the same region.Nearly six in 10 cited these peers as prime health care strategyinfluencers.

And, for an issue that has become so politicized over the pastdecade-plus, almost half of these respondents said the upcomingpresidential election isn't something they're watching with regardto health care planning. While they acknowledge the election'soutcome will influence what takes place, 49 percent said they’vegot a Plan A and a Plan B to fit the expressed health carephilosophy of whoever next occupies the White House.

“Cost increases have eased over the past few years, reducing thepressure on companies to deviate from the status quo,” said SueWillette, senior vice president for Health at Aon and the leader ofthe survey. “Very few companies want to be first in makingtransformative changes, but many want to be fast followers. Therate at which companies will take action is likely to be determinedby a combination of the predicted spike in future cost trend and bold moves from otheremployers, particularly from those companies in relatedindustries.”

Overall, the survey found, while employers are keeping theiroptions open with respect to health care strategy revision, mostsaid they probably won’t take any major actions to change theircurrent plans.