America's health care landscape is in flux. A new administration, “replace and repeal” (whatever that means), and skyrocketing costs are contributing to even more confusion. Benefits and HR leaders now need to seek out new and innovative solutions to better suit their workforces. Providing comprehensive health coverage is critical to attracting and retaining a quality workforce, but finding the right plan can be costly and difficult.

Over the past several years, companies of all sizes have addressed the challenge by passing more costs to their employees. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research & Education Trust 2016 Employer Health Benefits Survey, annual premiums for employer-sponsored family coverage reached$18,142, with workers paying $5,277 toward their plan. While companies still shoulder the lion's share of the bill, worker contributions have increased an average of 80 percent over the last 10 years.

Employees in small firms assume an even greater share of their health care costs than workers in midsized and large firms; on average, they pay a higher percentage of premiums for family coverage along with higher deductibles.