No surprise here: Employees aren’t happy about paying more for health coverage. But they seem less willing than ever to take better care of themselves.
According to a survey from HR consulting giant Towers Watson, employee satisfaction and comfort with health care benefit plans is declining on several fronts:
- 64% are now satisfied with their health care plans, down from 69% in 2007
- Only 45% are satisfied with the cost of their health care plan today, down from 53% in 2007, and
- 26% believe health care spending has increased their stress levels.
OK, that part we can understand. But along with their overall dissatisfaction with their coverage, the percentage of employees who have not taken any action to reduce their health care costs has increased from 14% in 2007 and 2008 to 21% this year.
Survey participants were asked if they’d taken specific steps to bring down the cost of their health care. The responses:
- 57% said they’d tried to take better care of themselves — down from 66% in 2007
- 33% went to the doctor for only more serious conditions or symptoms — down from 40% in 2007, and
- 26% delayed going to the doctor — down from 32% three years ago.
For a look at the full report, go here.
What’s causing this trend? Outline your theories in the Comments section below.
