The cost of company-provided health care will increase 5.3% in 2012, to $11,507 per employee, according to an estimate by global professional services company Towers Watson, which projects that the employer will shoulder $8,911 of that cost. 

The projected 5.3% increase in healthcare costs next year is down from the estimated increase of 5.9% this year. But Towers Watson's survey of 400 midsize companies shows that employers are also concerned about incurring the healthcare reform excise tax on high-cost health plans when it kicks in 2018, and 83% plan to cut costs to avoid that. Changing plan options in 2014 or 2015 is being considered by 42% of the companies, while 31% are considering reducing subsidies for the coverage of spouses and dependents.

While the cost of healthcare is rising, more companies are committed to providing benefits to their employees for the 2013-2015 time period.