Report predicts health care costs to increase 10.6% next year

A survey of more than 70 health care insurers conducted by Aon Consulting Worldwide led to a prediction that overall health care costs will increase by 10.6 percent next year (Source: “Report: Health care costs to rise 10.6%,” Dayton Business Journal, Aug. 12, 2008).

Specifically, Aon predicts a 10.6 percent rise for HMOs, 10.5 percent for POS plans, 10.7 percent for PPOs and 10.5 percent for CDH plans. The increases are the lowest since the annual study began in 2001. The researchers who conducted the study attribute the slowing rise in costs to higher employee participation in wellness programs, more health promotion and more consumer-driven programs.

The report also predicts that prescription drug costs will increase 9.2 percent, compared to a 9.5 percent rise last year.