New data by Towers Perrin suggests that employers will pay, on average, $9,552 per employee for health benefits in 2009, a jump of 6% from 2008. Yet some employers will buck the trend because they proactively manage their benefit programs.

In its 2009 Health Care Cost Survey, the HR consulting firm reveals that high-performing companies, those who rigorously track their health benefit objectives, will spend, on average, 12% less in annual health care premiums in 2009, compared to low-performing companies.

For example, high-performing firms report a per employee cost of $8,904, compared to $10,104 for low-performing companies. The cost variation fell even lower ($7,032) at high-performing companies utilizing consumer-driven health plans with health savings accounts.

The survey defined high performers as companies who not only had a strong commitment toward improving employee health and engagement, but who also aggressively managed their health plans and the delivery process.