According to a recent survey of 600 U.S. employers ...

... total health care costs are expected to increase 5.0% in both 2016 and 2017.  Here are some of the measures employers are using to control costs:

• 61% of employers have added programs to ensure appropriate use of high-cost drug; 88% indicated that their top priority over the next three years is managing pharmacy spending, especially for high-cost specialty drugs:
• 28% of employers have already implemented surcharges for spousal coverage when it is available through a spouse’s own employer
• 19% of employers have differentiated benefit coverage to encourage employees to use centers for excellence for specialty services

Source: "U.S. employers expect health care costs to increase 5.0% in both 2016 and 2017," Willis Towers Watson Press Release, August 8, 2016, https://www.willistowerswatson.com/en/press/2016/08/us-employers-expect-health-care-costs-to-increase-5-percent