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Health insurance costs for many Americans this year rose more sharply than in previous years, beyond any wage growth and add further uncertainty about the pace of rising medical costs.
A new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit research group that tracks employer-sponsored health insurance on an annual basis, shows that the average annual premium for family coverage through employer reached $ 15,073 in 2011, up 9 percent from the previous year, including rising quite dramatically.
"Open question is whether it's a one-time spike or the beginning of a period of rising higher," said Drew Altman, chief executive of the Kaiser foundation.
Many businessmen, citing the high cost of coverage as a factor in their decision not to employ, and health insurance are becoming increasingly affordable for more Americans. Over all, the cost of family coverage has roughly doubled since 2001, when the average premium of $ 7,061, compared with 34 percent wage advantage over the same period.
How many new health care law that is driven by the federal President Obama affect insurance rates remain a point of debate, with some analysts indicate that insurers have raised prices in anticipation of new rules which will, in 2012, requiring them to justify any increase of more than 10 percent .
Kaiser survey includes companies’ large and small use employer-sponsored coverage that represents about 60 percent of all insured Americans of working age. Annual growth in premiums, according to surveys, has slowed in recent years to 5 percent, up only 3 percent in 2010, partly due to remaining effects of the recession. After years of double-digit increases, moderation was a relief.
Throughout the year, major health insurers to defend a higher premium - and profits higher - say their spending will rise after the economy recovers and people believe that they are more able to afford medical care. Struggling economy will likely remain depressed demand for medical care, especially as people pay a greater share of their own medical bills through higher deductibles and co-payments, according to consultants and other benefits. About three-quarters of workers now pay a portion of the bill when they go to the doctor, and nearly one third have a deductible of at least $ 1,000 if they have single coverage, up from only one of 10 in 2006, according to Kaiser.
Although demand for treatment is likely to grow relatively slowly, insurance and benefits consultants also said the price for medical care continue to rise as makers of prescription drugs and hospital costs more. "If they are a hospital or anchor popular brand, they will negotiate a significant increase if they could," said Edward A. Kaplan, a benefits expert with the Segal Company, which recently surveyed about the cost of medical insurance.
Questions for employers and insurers is whether the sluggish economy, as well as the latest attempt by employers and insurance companies to better manage the medical care of workers, will continue to increase premiums at a more moderate level. Early responses to a survey by Mercer, a consulting firm, advises employers expect the cost of providing health benefits to rise about 5 percent next year, according to Beth Umland, director of research for Mercer health and benefits. These companies may be factoring in a more pessimistic view of the economy, he said, in which any recovery seems better than it was several months ago.
Employers, who reported that their workers use less medical care, said Ms. Umland, but they and the insurers have been slow to estimate costs reflecting lower demand. "It always takes time for underwriting to catch up with reality," he said.
Some small businesses say they expect their premiums to moderate, but only because of changes in their workforce - in part due to younger, healthier employees - which makes it less likely that firms will incur high medical claims. "Until last year, we saw an increase in very heavy - two digits," said Heather Gombos, an executive for RM Jones & Company and affiliated companies in New Britain, Conn., a group which guarantees about 50 of the 80 employees.
Kaiser survey includes companies’ large and small use employer-sponsored coverage that represents about 60 percent of all insured Americans of working age. Annual growth in premiums, according to surveys, has slowed in recent years to 5 percent, up only 3 percent in 2010, partly due to remaining effects of the recession. After years of double-digit increases, moderation was a relief.
Throughout the year, major health insurers to defend a higher premium - and profits higher - say their spending will rise after the economy recovers and people believe that they are more able to afford medical care. Struggling economy will likely remain depressed demand for medical care, especially as people pay a greater share of their own medical bills through higher deductibles and co-payments, according to consultants and other benefits. About three-quarters of workers now pay a portion of the bill when they go to the doctor, and nearly one third have a deductible of at least $ 1,000 if they have single coverage, up from only one of 10 in 2006, according to Kaiser.
Although demand for treatment is likely to grow relatively slowly, insurance and benefits consultants also said the price for medical care continue to rise as makers of prescription drugs and hospital costs more. "If they are a hospital or anchor popular brand, they will negotiate a significant increase if they could," said Edward A. Kaplan, a benefits expert with the Segal Company, which recently surveyed about the cost of medical insurance.
Questions for employers and insurers is whether the sluggish economy, as well as the latest attempt by employers and insurance companies to better manage the medical care of workers, will continue to increase premiums at a more moderate level. Early responses to a survey by Mercer, a consulting firm, advises employers expect the cost of providing health benefits to rise about 5 percent next year, according to Beth Umland, director of research for Mercer health and benefits. These companies may be factoring in a more pessimistic view of the economy, he said, in which any recovery seems better than it was several months ago.
Employers, who reported that their workers use less medical care, said Ms. Umland, but they and the insurers have been slow to estimate costs reflecting lower demand. "It always takes time for underwriting to catch up with reality," he said.
Some small businesses say they expect their premiums to moderate, but only because of changes in their workforce - in part due to younger, healthier employees - which makes it less likely that firms will incur high medical claims. "Until last year, we saw an increase in very heavy - two digits," said Heather Gombos, an executive for RM Jones & Company and affiliated companies in New Britain, Conn., a group which guarantees about 50 of the 80 employees.
Source : community.nytimes.com
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