Yesterday, PwC's Health Research Institute released its annual medical cost trend report for 2015, which is based on interviews with industry executives, health policy experts and health plan actuaries, whose companies cover a total of 93 million members.
For the $2.8 trillion healthcare industry, PwC projects a medical cost trend of 6.8 percent in 2015, up slightly from 6.5 percent for 2014. The medical cost trend is the projected percentage increase in per capita costs of medical services that affect commercial insurers and large, self-insured businesses. According to the report, here's how projected 2015 private health insurance spending is expected to break down by medical category.
1. Inpatient services — 31 percent of spending
2. Professional services — 31 percent
3. Outpatient — 19 percent
4. Pharmacy — 15 percent
5. Other — 4 percent
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