Apparently the corporate world is composed of three-quarters followers and one-quarter leaders. At least that’s what an Aon Hewitt survey focusing on health plan strategies indicates.
The consulting firm surveyed 1,000 companies about their intentions with respect to health insurance revisions. Three-quarters said they had no particular strategy, but simply watched their respected peers to see what actions they took. And then they followed.
Even more influential were peers located in the same region. Nearly six in 10 cited these peers as prime health care strategy influencers.
And, for an issue that has become so politicized over the past decade-plus, almost half of these respondents said the upcoming presidential election isn't something they're watching with regard to health care planning. While they acknowledge the election's outcome will influence what takes place, 49 percent said they’ve got a Plan A and a Plan B to fit the expressed health care philosophy of whoever next occupies the White House.
“Cost increases have eased over the past few years, reducing the pressure on companies to deviate from the status quo,” said Sue Willette, senior vice president for Health at Aon and the leader of the survey. “Very few companies want to be first in making transformative changes, but many want to be fast followers. The rate at which companies will take action is likely to be determined by a combination of the predicted spike in future cost trend and bold moves from other employers, particularly from those companies in related industries.”
Overall, the survey found, while employers are keeping their options open with respect to health care strategy revision, most said they probably won’t take any major actions to change their current plans.
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
