A majority of U.S. workers are concerned that their employers will either cut their health care coverage or increase cost-sharing in response to the rising cost of health care services, a survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide has found.
However, most employees say they are willing to try to improve their own health status to help control future cost increases, according to the survey, "Employee Perspectives on Health Care: Voice of the Consumer."
"There's no doubt the rise in health care benefit costs is taking a toll on today's workers, both financially and in the form of increased stress," said Cathy Tripp, a senior group health care consultant at Watson Wyatt in Minneapolis, in a statement announcing the survey results.
Fortunately, "employees have been getting the message that many employers have been trying to send--that improving one's health pays dividends now and in the future," said Kathryn Yates, global director of Watson Wyatt's communications practice based in Chicago.
Among other survey findings:
For more information about the survey, visit www.watsonwyatt.com. Copies of the complete survey are available for download at $49 apiece.