Employers turn to technology to cut health care benefits costs.(Brief Article)

Although it's costing more, many companies who purchase their health care benefits plan to keep doing so. And they're looking to technology as a way to cut costs and increase communication about benefits information to all those involved, according to a recent survey of large U.S. employers.

The sixth annual "Purchasing Value in Health Care Survey" -- conducted by Watson Wyatt Worldwide, the Washington Business Group on Health (WBGH) and the Healthcare Financial. Management Association -- surveyed 360 companies that together employ full-time 4.7 million people.

In the near future -- three years from now -- most of the companies plan to stay highly involved in their health care benefits activities. Of the companies surveyed, 75 percent plan to continue involvement in health plan design, vendor …