Estimated cost growth for all types of health plans is expected to slow down this year, according to a survey conducted by HR benefits firm Buck Consultants.
Buck surveyed 126 health insurers and plan administrators and measured the projected average annual increase in employer-provided healthcare costs. Here are four of their key findings on employer health cost growth.
1. The cost of PPO plans is expected to increase by 8.7 percent this year — down from a growth rate of 9 percent last year and 9.2 percent the year before that.
2. Point-of-service plan costs are expected to rise by 8.5 percent, compared with an 8.8 percent growth rate and 9 percent growth rate in the last two years, respectively.
3. HMO plan costs will increase by an estimated 8.6 percent (down from 8.7 percent and 8.8 percent increases in the last two years).
4. High-deductible health plan costs will go up by an estimated 8.6 percent — down from a 9.1 percent increase in costs both last year and the year before.
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