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US Health Costs to Rise 5.7% in '09

Insurance costs go up for 4th straight year

By the Associated Press

Posted Sep 4, 2008 1:45 PM CDT
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(AP) – Get ready for another increase in co-pays and deductibles. A survey being released today found that 59% of employers intend to keep down rising health care costs by sharing them with workers. Costs will go up by an average 5.7% for both parties next year, rising faster than inflation or wages.

Between 2003 and 2007, the average deductible for an individual grew from $250 to $400.  Health plans are offering cost-cutting choices such as disease management plans and incentives for greater use of prescription drugs, “but there's certainly still more work to be done," a health insurance spokesman says.

Health insurance companies are trying to offer incentives and management plans to cut rising costs.
Health insurance companies are trying to offer incentives and management plans to cut rising costs.   (AP Photo/Bob Child)
59% of companies surveyed said they would increase workers' co-pays if health care costs go up.
59% of companies surveyed said they would increase workers' co-pays if health care costs go up.   (Shutter stock)
Health care costs will go up by 5.7% for both employers and workers next year, a Mercer study shows.
Health care costs will go up by 5.7% for both employers and workers next year, a Mercer study shows.   (Shutter stock)
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health care costs • health insurance • employers • health insurance premiums • Mercer study

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