With consistently rising healthcare costs, some employers are using wellness benefits and other items to help improve the expense situation instead of raising the price of the plans, according to McGraw Wentworth.

The report, which examined employers based in Michigan, found that healthcare costs are increasing by approximately 6 percent during this year. While this is a decline from the previous year's figure of 8 percent, many businesses are looking for a way to further lower the costs. More than 80 percent of those employers polled explained that they have a wellness program in place. In addition, one-third of businesses are using CDHP plans, which is higher than 2011's figure of 27 percent.

"In terms of improving the health of their workforce, employers anticipate having a greater role in coming years," said Rebecca McLaughlan, managing director, McGraw Wentworth. "To that end, more employers are implementing high-deductible health plans and full-fledged wellness plans to help manage their group benefits costs and to actively engage employees in making informed health decisions."

If a consumer is unhappy with their current plan due to rising costs or a lack of benefits, it may help them to look for a private alternative. There are many affordable health insurance rates available, and getting one could make the healthcare process less stressful for them.