May 31, 2012
--- Health care spending in the U.S. is expected to grow
at a historically low rate of 7.5% next year. ---
Medical cost trends help insurers
and large employers set premium rates, according to the annual Behind the
Numbers report, published by the Health Research Institute (HRI) of PwC US. For
U.S. employers, the net impact of next year’s increase could be as low as 5.5%,
after accounting for changes in benefit design by purchasers, HRI
estimates.
Employers are looking at two strategies
to control medical costs in 2013: increasing the employee share, and expanding
health and wellness programs, according to the PwC 2012 Health and Well-Being
Touchstone Survey of 1,400 employers in 34 industries. The survey also
showed that plan design features with the most significant changes in 2012 were
a substantial increase in in-network deductibles, emergency room copayments and
prescription drug copayments.
Highlights include:
- Nearly six in ten employers (57%) are considering raising
employee contributions to health plans;
- Half of employers are considering increasing
cost-sharing through plan design, such as higher deductibles;
- More than half of employers are considering raising prescription
drug plan costs;
- Average enrollment in high-deductible plans coupled
with a health reimbursement account has increased, to 43.2% in 2012, from
34.2% in 2010; and
- Nearly three quarters of employers (72%) offer wellness
programs, and half of those say they are considering expanding those
programs next year.