Towers Watson and the National Business Group on Health published findings of the 20th annual Towers Watson/NBGH Best Practices in Health Care Employer Survey, which addresses large employers (1,000+ employees.) The results sound on a theme heard from other studies on health plan and health care cost increases released earlier this year - cost increases continue at a single mid-digit pace - far from the double digit increases experienced during the previous decade. But, healthcare cost increases still outpace general inflation.

Also, as emphasized in the recently released KFF annual employer benchmark study, the cost trend post plan changes has become reliant on pushing greater degrees of cost sharing onto employees.

A list has just been posted in healthsprocket indicating the annual healthcare plan increase trend after plan changes from the Towers Watson/NBGH survey data for 2001 - 2016.

You can click here to view a graphic Towers Watson provided, laying out the trend against the CPI as well as annual cost increases before plan benefit changes are made.