Employers expect to keep popular ACA provisions, despite potential for law’s repeal

ARLINGTON, Va., May 02, 2017 -- As Congress continues to consider repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), employers expect to retain some of the law’s popular provisions, even if they are not required to by a new law. This is according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ:WLTW), a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company. While approximately one-third of employers are not sure of future plans, more employers plan to keep popular provisions than make changes.

For example, if unlimited lifetime benefits are repealed, employers are more than three times more likely to keep them in place than they are to reinstitute lifetime dollar limits: 50% versus 15%. In addition, if contraceptive care at a 100% benefit is repealed, employers are nearly six times more likely to maintain coverage at that level than they are to reduce it: 59% versus 11%.

These findings stem from the Willis Towers Watson 2017 Emerging Trends in Health Survey of 666 U.S. employers. The survey also found that if the age 26 dependent coverage rule were to be repealed — which is not expected in a potential replacement bill — more than twice the number of employers would keep the eligibility age at 26 than lower it: 48% versus 22%.

“Employers are more likely to retain some of the popular ACA benefit provisions because of their positive impact on employee engagement and the potential for changes to be viewed negatively in the context of overall rewards,” said Julie Stone, a national health care practice leader at Willis Towers Watson. “As we see an increased focus on employee productivity, employers will be careful about the implications of change, not just from a dollars and cents perspective, but in terms of employee perceptions.”

Few employers likely to modify broader health strategy based on regulatory changes

Employers are also unlikely to make changes to their broader health care strategy if certain provisions of the ACA that have been unpopular with employers are repealed. For example, just 6% of employers said they are “very likely” and 13% said they are “somewhat likely” to make changes if the employer mandate is repealed. The employer mandate requires employers to offer affordable, minimum-value coverage to full-time employees or pay a penalty.

If restrictions on offering stand-alone or premium health reimbursement accounts for active employees are eliminated, just 4% of employers are “very likely” and 13% are “somewhat likely” to make changes to their current health care strategy.

Even if limits are placed on the dollar amount of employer-sponsored premiums that are exempt from federal income and payroll taxes, relatively few employers would make broad changes. Just 16% of employers are “very likely” and 31% are “somewhat likely” to make changes if the tax exclusion is capped.

“Employers are confident they’ll be providing health care for the near future and are hesitant to commit to changes until they see the big picture,” said Stone. “Whatever provisions a new law might include, most employers will stay on their current path to build a high-performing health care program. Improving plan design value and creating program efficiencies will remain core components of an effective long-term health care strategy.”

About the survey

The Willis Towers Watson 2017 Emerging Trends in Health Care Survey was fielded in January 2017 to determine how U.S. employers with at least 200 employees use and deliver health care programs and services. The 666 employers that responded represent 9.3 million employees, including 6.5 million full-time employees, across a variety of industries.

About Willis Towers Watson

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ:WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 40,000 employees serving more than 140 countries. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas — the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com.

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