Here are six insights:
1. Employees will continue to take less of a hit from the increases.
2. Mercer reported health benefit cost growth will hold at 4 percent in 2017.
3. Analysts note, however, that inflation is still checking in at 2 percent.
4. Employers are taking various measures to cut coverage costs, so consumers will bear less of the burden.
5. Therefore, an employee’s monthly premium and annual deductible in 2017 will resemble 2016 numbers.
6. Mercer reported the cost-shifting hold to employees is due to a delay in implementing the excise tax provision of the Affordable Care Act from 2018 to 2020. This tax will impact benefit plans surpassing set parameters, so employers have been slashing benefits in preparation.
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