"The ongoing, continued, year-over-year trend running around 6% is really unsustainable from a cost perspective and is still the number one issue employers are focused on," Marcotte said. Many employers believe telemedicine is the only way to drive down the cost of medical insurance , with 90 % of employers making it available to staff in states where telemedicine is permitted next year , according to John Marcotte , CEO of non - profit organization National Working Group on Health . Health insurance costs are the " number one " issue for employers , as they are set to rise by an " unsustainable " 6 % next year . According to the Large Employers ' 2017 Health Plan Design Survey , specialty pharmacies , high cost claimants and specific diseases and conditions were the three biggest drivers of health costs .
Many employers believe telemedicine is the only way to drive down the cost of medical insurance , with 90 % of employers making it available to staff in states where telemedicine is permitted next year , according to John Marcotte , CEO of non - profit organization National Working Group on Health . Health insurance costs are the " number one " issue for employers , as they are set to rise by an " unsustainable " 6 % next year . According to the Large Employers ' 2017 Health Plan Design Survey , specialty pharmacies , high cost claimants and specific diseases and conditions were the three biggest drivers of health costs .