Although the cost of claims for employer-sponsored health plans are slightly lower than six months ago, a new study finds these costs are rising at double-digit rates.
Wells Fargo Insurance Services recently surveyed 60 insurance companies between February and March.
Reflecting claim activity over a six-month period, projected increases in the national average cost of claims include:
- Health maintenance organizations (HMO) and point-of-sale plans (POS) – 9.6 percent increase
- Preferred provider organizations (PPO) and consumer driven health plans (CDHP) – 10 percent increase
- Exclusive provider organizations (EPO) – 10.6 percent increase
- Indemnity plans – 11.1 percent increase
- Prescription plans – 8.7 increase

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Dan Gowen, senior vice president of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, said the continued cost increase suggests employer premiums will rise at a similar rate, as insurance companies anticipate costs based on claim trends.
"Our survey results show that employers continue to seek sophisticated ways to manage employee health risk, stretch their employee benefit dollars and minimize costs," said Gowen. "That's especially true as insurers expect higher claim costs as a result of market changes brought on by federal health care reform."
The survey found that, in addition to healthcare reform provisions, claim cost is influenced by increased use of healthcare services, aging U.S. population, improvements in medical technology and drug therapies, use of specialty drugs to treat complex diseases, changes in provider treatment patterns, and inflation. Finally, in comparison to the prior six months, the survey also showed dental and vision benefit products remain stable.
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