MetLife Poll Finds Non-Medical Benefits Increasing in Importance in the Wake of Health Care Reform

The majority of both small and large employers say they currently have no plans to reduce their spending on non-medical benefits in the wake of health care reform. The MetLife Health Care Reform Poll found that only one in ten employers with fewer than 500 employees and two in ten with 500 or more workers anticipate reducing spending on benefits like disability, life and dental insurance as a result of the legislation. In fact, 43% of employers feel strongly that offering non-medical benefits will become a more important strategy for their companies over the next five years.

“This is good news for workers since the poll also found that health care reform has increased the importance of non-medical benefits to them. The poll found that 71% of employees who say they have a good understanding of health care reform also say that their non-medical benefits are very important in driving their feelings of employer loyalty, compared to only 57% of employees who admit they don’t have a good understanding of the legislation,” says Dr. Ronald Leopold, vice president and national medical director, U.S. Business, MetLife.

Health Insurance Changes

The poll also found that while many small employers are not sure about next action steps, larger employers are considering changes to their health plan designs and increasing cost-sharing arrangements with employees. For example:

Changes to Plan Design Increase $ Sharing Undecided Employers,

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