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MANAGED CARE April 2003. ©MediMedia USA

NEWS AND COMMENTARY

Consumer-directed plans face employer skepticism

Despite a lot of press that consumers are ready and willing to take more control of their health benefits, employers have their doubts, suggests a study by the Washington Business Group on Health and Watson Wyatt. A survey of 434 companies representing 7 million employees finds that only 33 percent are "very" or "somewhat confident" that consumer-directed plans will work — at least in terms of how those proposals are currently structured.

Little employer confidence in current consumer direction

Are you confident that consumer-directed plans will......control costs...improve employee involvement

SOURCE: EIGHTH ANNUAL WASHINGTON BUSINESS GROUP ON HEALTH/WATSON WYATT SURVEY REPORT