Keeping health care costs down has longbeen a pressing issue for employers. In 2017, the uncertainty thatcomes with the new Trump administration, which seems certain tomake numerous changes to health care policy, is making somebusiness leaders nervous.

But even if there are dramatic changes in regulations and taxes,the basic foundations of employer-based health benefits are notlikely to be challenged. And rising costs will still be a problem —which is why it's important employers continue to keep an eye outfor new innovations while continuing to adopt strategies that haveproven effective in containing the rise of health costs.

HDHPs likely to get a boost from Trump

The movement toward high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) suchas HSAs and HRAs continues to be very strong, according to industryexperts. “The top trend going into next year has been consumerdirected health care plans or high-deductible health plans,” saysKevin Davis, senior employee benefits consultant at Univest, afinancial and insurance services company. “We see a lower premiumrate increase [with HDHPs]; about half of what we see ontraditional PPO-type plans. It does seem to be working as acost-containment strategy.”