Can't pass along more costs to workers? 2 alternatives

Many companies have reached the end of the line in terms of how much healthcare costs can be passed on to employees.
Instead of increasing employees’ share further, you may want to consider one of these two cost-cutting measures:
1. Reward health risk assessment participants

The most effective way to maximize participation in health risk assessments, with minimum resistance, is to offer incentives that reward healthy behavior.
Example: Reducing monthly premiums for employees who get tested and/or seek help to reduce risk factors like obesity or high blood pressure.
Warning: Health risk assessments can no longer include an employee’s family medical history if financial incentives are tied to their completion, according to new regs governing the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).
2. Target needless E.R. use
Some health plans offer toll-free, 24-hour nurse hotlines — and the nurses on call tend to be very effective at answering questions about the treatment of injuries, and whether a caller should go to the E.R.
Wider use of these hotlines can greatly reduce needless E.R. visits — and their related costs.
If your workers don’t have access to a nurse hotline, consider asking your vendor what it would take to set that service up. Even if it costs your company a little more now, it could save you big bucks in the long run.