This is the fifth year Modern Healthcare has conducted a survey of employers to find information on their healthcare spending and employee benefits data.

The survey, which opened July 16 and closed Oct. 19, was sent to Fortune 1000 companies as well as others that have participated in Modern Healthcare's surveys that might have met this one's criteria.

Modern Healthcare promoted the survey through its website, e-mails, social media and electronic newsletters. In addition, the survey was promoted by the two co-sponsoring organizations, the Leapfrog Group and the National Business Coalition on Health.

To qualify for participation, employers were required to have a minimum of $100 million in U.S. annual revenue. Government organizations were not eligible. Thirty-one companies responded this year, down from 35 last year.