Large U.S. employers expect to pay 6% more for health benefits in 2009, the same rate of increase as 2007 and 2008, according to preliminary findings of a survey by Watson Wyatt Worldwide and the National Business Group on Health. The cost increases were partially tempered by the growing use of consumer-driven health plans, which are now offered by 51% of employers, up from 47% in 2008, according to the survey.
