The latest survey from Buck Consultants(Buck)forecasts that the most popular healthcare coverage plans in the U.S. will increase at double-digit levels through the rest of this year and into next.
In its 18th National Health Care Trend Survey, Buck measured the projected average yearly increase in employer-sponsored healthcare benefits costs. The result was an increase of more than 10% for the most popular plans such as Preferred Provider Organization(10.75%)and Health Maintenance Organization(11.14%).
Insurers reported a minimal increase in the average prescription drug trend(11.68%), up from 11.33% in the last survey. However, they reported lower trends for plans that supplement Medicare: 7.32% for plans with coverage and 6.82% for plans without. This, according to Buck, indicates the effect of federal controls on Medicare fees as well as the expected lower increases in its co-pays and deductibles.
The survey analyzed responses from 79 health insurers, health maintenance organizations and third-party administrators.
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