A recent Gallup poll found a significant amount of workers are unhappy about the current state of their health insurance benefits, as well as their ability for a promotion.

In total, 30 percent of workers are not satisfied with their current health insurance options provided by their employer. This is an 11 percentage point increase from the same poll taken in 2008, the poll noted. In addition, more than one-quarter of workers think their promotion chances are poor, compared to 19 percent in 2008. Job stress also increased to 34 percent. This was a six percentage point rise.

The Work and Education poll, from Gallup, also found that 35 percent of consumers are completely satisfied with the benefits offered by their company, while another 23 percent were only somewhat satisfied. A total of 12 percent were somewhat dissatisfied, while 18 percent were completely unhappy with their work option.

Many people are dissatisfied with their insurance options, and it may benefit them to look for other healthcare quotes in order to improve their situation.

While many small businesses try to cut corners when it comes to spending, they may be unable to do so when it comes to group health insurance, according to Inc.com.

Many smaller companies may be overpaying for employee health insurance plans by as much as 29 percent, according to a recent report. This may be because these businesses lack access to quality affordable options, the source reports.

This is due in part to search frictions when it comes to health insurance shopping. Companies with fewer employees have less buying power and reduced access to information regarding healthcare plans. This friction causes small businesses to frequently change their insurance packages, perhaps because they are dissatisfied with their options and service, the Incidental Economist explains.

"High turnover rates undermine the quality of health plans by reducing insurers' incentive to finance care that makes their policyholders healthier in the future," said Dr. Randall Cebul, according to Inc.com.

While this may not bode well for companies shopping for employee benefits right now, impending public options may change the situation and create more affordable options to choose from, the source reports.  

A recent survey conducted by the National Business Group on Health showed that many large American employers expect health insurance costs to rise in 2012.

Almost two-thirds of those businesses polled stated that they expected significant increases. Overall, companies predicted that group health insurance fees would rise by 7.2 percent. While that number was lower than the average increase of healthcare costs in 2011, it is higher than the rate of economic recovery in the nation, the source explains.

Because economic recovery may impact a business’ ability to cover all healthcare costs for their staff, many companies will be using cost-sharing methods in the coming year. Furthermore, many entrepreneurs will be employing cost reducing programs that incentivize thrifty healthcare use by employees, the source reports.

In order to combat some of these expenses, 73 percent of companies stated that they would offer consumer directed health plans, up from 61 percent this year. The most common form of CDHPs offered are ones that include high patient deductibles, meaning much of the cost burden will be shifted onto individuals, according to the source.
 

While many job seekers may put much weight into whether a hiring company offers health insurance benefits, some small businesses may be putting just as much emphasis on curbing the employee benefit, according to CNNMoney.

Many small companies are attempting to cut costs by hiring part-time employees instead of full-timers. This relieves them of the burden of offering benefits like health insurance and life insurance, which can help their bottom line at a time when saving money is vital, the source explains.

While all businesses are required to offer some benefits - including Social Security and workers' compensation - others are not legally necessary, according to the Small Business Association.

As such, many job seekers hoping to get healthcare coverage for themselves and their families may be thwarted in their efforts. Some small business owners even go so far as to warn the unemployed that demanding health insurance may put them well out of the race for a position, the source explains.

"Every time we hire an employee that is full-time, whatever salary we give them, we attach 35 percent to the cost as an employer," explained business owner Liz Parker, according to the source.
 

Despite rising costs, many employers will continue to offer group health insurance coverage to their staff, according to Mercer.

In its recent survey, the company found that the vast majority of employers will continue to offer health benefits even after health insurance exchanges become law in January 2014.

Only 2 percent of respondents stated that they would be "very likely" to discontinue employer-sponsored health insurance after the exchanges become active. Furthermore, a mere 4 percent said that they would be "likely" to opt out of offering the benefits, according to the source.

While many businesses intend to continue offering the coverage, they will likely be looking for ways to reduce costs amid rising healthcare bills, according to Mercer.

"There are reasons other than richness of benefits that drive up cost, such as having an older population or being located in a high-cost metropolitan area – both factors that are not under an employer's control," explained Tracey Watts of Mercer.

Some companies have reported that they will reduce contributions for dependent coverage, while others stated that they would limit the costs by setting a base amount to spend per employee, according to the source.