Group Health Insurance Rates Predicted to Rise
September 2009
While those Americans who already have medical coverage through their employer may be suspicious of legislation designed to change
group health insurance regulations, a new article at the
Washington Post suggests that change is coming their way regardless, and not the good kind.
An annual survey released Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust claims that 40% of employers surveyed plan to increase the amount their employees pay out of pocket for doctor's visits next year.
Just as many say that their group health insurance deductibles will be going up, as well as prescription drug costs.
And 41% say that they are "somewhat" or "very likely" to raise the premiums for their
medical coverage plan.
Why such a jump? Well in truth medical coverage fees have been going up every year for the past 15 years, so some of this might be simply par for the course.
But with health care costs going up as they are, even group health insurance plans aren't immune to inflation. Historically, group based medical coverage has been less costly due to the spreading of risk for insurance companies, but with fewer and fewer businesses able to afford such insurance, even employees who have long enjoyed coverage are paying more and more for it.
Facts on:
Medical Coverage in Politics
Did you know...
40% of employers plan to increase the amount their employees pay out of pocket?
|
Various "cost-saving measures" are in the works, according to the president of the National Business Group on Health, including financial incentives to participate in weight loss programs, health assessments, and more.
But it's not clear how much those measures could actually save, nor whether they will keep a significant amount of money in workers' pockets.
Current Topic:
Recent Topics:
