It’s currently benefits open enrollment season for millions of American employees. This is the season they’ll be faced with some big decisions about their 2012 health care coverage. Health care costs are expected to increase by seven percent in 2012 to $10,475 per employee, according to Aon Hewitt, a global consulting firm. Employees are projected to contribute roughly $2,300 to that expense in 2012. That’s an 11 percent increase compared to 2011. Aon Hewitt’s analysis shows that beyond that cost, employees will spend an average of $2,275 on out-of-pocket expenses while seeking care next year.

The Consumer Health Mindset survey, Aon Hewitt‘s recent survey of 3,000 health consumers, shows more than half of consumers participated in health risk assessments and/or screenings such as blood pressure and cholesterol screendings in the past year. Many employers are offering opportunities for employees to address health risks and conditions that will help them with things like managing their diabetes or quitting smoking. Choosing to take part in these assessments and screenings is a crucial part of the open enrollment process. “The most important advice we can provide to an employee is to be an active participant in the open enrollment process,” suggests Craig Rosenberg of Aon Hewitt. “Health care needs and benefit costs can vary from year to year, and when you combine that with the changing health care landscape, it’s critical for employees to educate themselves on their available coverage and reevaluate their choices.”

These are important steps in preventative health care, which is something that employees need to consider, according to experts. “When it comes to choosing and using their employers’ health care plans and programs, workers want their employers to do four things, according to our Consumer Health Mindset survey: make it easy to do, make it personal so I know how to get the best value, make it move me in the right direction, and make it meaningful, so I feel supported as I try to improve my health,” said Joann Hall Swenson, health engagement best practice leader with Aon Hewitt. “Employers who craft their health engagement strategies around these four insights will have a chance at reaching and engaging their employees, which in turn will lead to improved health and productivity, and reduced cost.”