Financial risk is the big factor in whether a company self-insures or not. There's little argument about costs self-insurance is less expensive and allows employers to customize plans more easily. It is also less heavily regulated.

The Identity Management Institute says employers need to spend less time on network security and put more emphasis on teaching employees best practices about protecting their digital information from cyberattacks and breaches.

The rising cost of health care will largely burden employees rather than employers, as companies continue to make workers pay for a larger share of their health care through higher deductibles and increased copays.