Premiums + out of pocket expenses to increase by 10% in 2010 for employees [View All]

[PinkOwl]

Wall Street Journal
Oct 14, 2009:

"Employees will pay $4,023 on average in premiums and out-of-pocket charges next year, up 10% from 2009, according to a projection from Hewitt Associates, a benefits-consulting firm. In dollar terms, it's the biggest boost since the firm started keeping track of the data a decade ago.


For workers, that will mean larger payroll deductions, as well as spending more on co-payments and other fees tied to care. Companies also are expected to prod more employees into cheaper coverage by getting them to sign up for high-deductible health plans. And many employers are trying to rein in the expense of covering workers' families, sometimes by making insurance for kids and spouses pricier.


More: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125547827547583747.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories