Employers’ health care costs are expected to increase by more than 10 percent
in 2009, according to research from Aon Consulting Worldwide.
The survey of more than 70 leading health care insurers, representing more
than 100 million insured individuals, forecasts an average 10.6 percent increase
in health care costs for the 12-month periods beginning this year between April
and September.
According to the survey, actuaries expect costs to increase by 10.6 percent
for health maintenance organization plans, 10.5 percent for point of service
plans, 10.7 percent for preferred provider organizations and 10.5 percent for
consumer-directed health care plans.
The increases are slightly lower than those projected a year ago and are the
lowest since the study began in 2001. In 2007, forecasters saw a 10.9 percent
increase in health care costs, and a 16 percent increase in costs was projected
in 2002, the highest rate since the study began.
“While the medical trend rate is still more than twice the consumer price
index, it is encouraging to see that health care cost rate increases are
continuing to slow down,” John Zern, Chicago-based Aon Consulting’s U.S. health
and benefits practice director, said in a statement. “This is a step in the
right direction for companies nationwide that continue to feel significant
health care price pressures.”
The study also found prescription drug costs are expected to increase 9.2
percent, down slightly from the increasing trend of 9.5 percent a year ago.
Filed by Kristin Gunderson Hunt
of Business Insurance, a sister publication of Workforce Management. To
comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.
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