Saturday, August 15, 2015

Employers Expect a 6% Premium Increase in Healthcare Costs in 2016

This is from the National Business Group on Health 2015 annual survey:
According to the [National Business Group on Health Survey] survey, employers project their health care benefits costs will increase 6.0% in 2016, the same increase employers would have experienced this year had they made no changes to their plan design. However, many employers expect to keep increases to 5% for the third consecutive year by making plan changes, such as increasing cost-sharing provisions, adopting consumer-directed health plans, and expanding wellness initiatives. The survey, based on responses from 140 of the nation's largest corporations, was conducted in June, 2015. ...
By 2020, almost three-quarters (72%) expect one of their plans will trigger the tax, while their plan with the greatest enrollment will only be one year behind. ... 
More than one in three employers (34%) will implement surcharges for spouses who can obtain coverage through their own employer, an increase from 29% this year. A handful of employers will exclude spouses altogether when other coverage is available through an employer. ...
Overall, 83% of employers will offer a CDHP in 2016, up from 81% this year. In addition, one in three employers (33%) will only offer CDHPs to their employees in 2016.