PEOPLE: HR Corner Companies Plan to Adjust Health Care Benefits Under the Affordable Care Act By Staff Thursday, December 18, 2014 11:04 AM NEW YORK—Recent surveys given to thousands of mid- to large-size firms nationwide by Towers Watson, the National Business Group on Health, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers have learned that at least 33 percent of surveyed companies are considering cutting or reducing subsidies for employee family members. "Bracing themselves for an excise tax on high-cost plans coming in 2018 under the Affordable Care Act," according to the survey and, 81 percent of employers surveyed by Towers Watson said they “plan to moderately or significantly alter health-care benefits to reduce their costs. The excise tax will be levied on companies offering annual benefits that exceed $10,200 for individuals or $27,500 for families." Businesses would be taxed 40 percent on the difference for any costs above those amounts. To reduce their tax bill, many firms are looking to cut their premiums by increasing plan deductibles, while others are making greater use of health care savings accounts. Hedley Lawson, Contributing Editor Managing Partner Aligned Growth Partners, LLC (707) 217-0979 hlawson@alignedgrowth.com www.alignedgrowth.com