While Congress stumbles over healthcare reform, employers continue to be buried in double-digit cost increases. And in 2010, those increases aren’t expected to slow down.
Big increases are once again in store for employers next year, according to the latest estimates from Buck Consultants.
Figures to help you budget for next year
The forecasts on rate hikes for 2010, based on type of plan:
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): an 11% increase (down slightly from 11.1% a year ago).
- Point-of-Service (POS): a 10.2% hike (10.8% last year).
- High Maintenance Organization (HMO): an 11% jump (11.1% last year).
- High Deductible Consumer-Driven: a 10.4% increase (10.7% a year ago).
Prescription drugs
Don’t expect relief to come from prescription drugs, either.
When it comes to prescribed meds, patients will pay an additional 10.8% in 2010. That’s on top of this year’s 11.4% increase.
