Premiums + out of pocket expenses to increase by 10% in 2010 for employees

[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

[Skittles]

1. add that to pay cuts

and standard of living is decreased

[DesertFlower]

2. my husband's employer covers him for free,

but it costs me $121 a month. it's been going up every year. wonder what it's going to be this time? we each have a $750 deductible and co-pays.

[paulsby]

4. my employer covers me for free

and my wife too...

so, if it goes up, it doesn't affect me.

but if they start taxing plans, cadillac or no, i;m done with any rep that votes to do that.

[Double T]

3. Until someone in congress gets some 'balls' and drives through price controls.......

on the health care industry, HMOs and PPOs will continue to drive up the price of health care. The arrogant insurance providers (wall street) are driven by insatiable greed and I truly do not believe ANYONE in the capitol or WH is truly serious about getting health care under control; sure did a 'do nothing' job on the credit card industry.

[Uben]

5. 10% in one year?

Mine has increased more than that every year for the last seven years! Tripled in 7 years!

Be thankful