Employers are making an effort to involve employees more in their health care. This is evidenced by the increase in consumer-directed health plans being offered by employers today. Employers feel that the more informed and engaged an employee is, the lower their health care costs will be. Employee engagement is a way for employers to battle rising health care costs and outlook on managed care plans.

What managed care trends do you think affect employers today and which do you think has the greatest impact on employers? Explain your perspective with examples. Do these trends impact small and large employers the same or not?