Employees Cut Back on Health Costs - for Better or Worse

December 17, 2008

As health care costs continue to climb during a vulnerable economy, many employees are taking drastic actions to save money, according to the Watson Wyatt study Employee Perspectives on Health Care.

In the workplace, only 19% of employees (as opposed to 38% in 2007) are willing to pay higher premiums to keep deductibles and co-pays lower and more predictable. In addition, 66% of employees are actively trying to improve their personal health, an increase of 4% from last year, the study notes. Only 16% of workers are enrolled in a company-run wellness program.

Employees also saved by purchasing lower-costing drugs (35%, a 7% increase from last year), while others took riskier measures. Seventeen percent of workers avoided doctor visits this year, while 40% (up from 35%) only visited for serious conditions or symptoms.