Paychecks to Shrink Because of Higher Health Premiums
Companies said they plan to offer more so-called consumer- directed health benefits
, such as insurance with high deductibles paired with tax-free health savings accounts. Twenty percent of companies will replace their current offerings with such plans in 2011, according to the survey, compared with 10 percent who did so this year. Wellness programs, including those that offer discounts for weight-loss, smoking-cessation and other lifestyle changes, are among the more-popular benefit changes planned for next year.
Paychecks to Shrink Because of Higher Health Premiums