Employer-provided healthcare costs go up

CHICAGO, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Employer-provided health plan claims costs are projected to increase by more than 10 percent in the next 12 months, a Chicago consulting firm says.

Aon Consulting surveyed more than 60 leading healthcare insurers, representing more than 100 million insured individuals. Aon found healthcare costs are projected to increase by 10.4 percent for health maintenance organizations, 10.4 percent for point of service plans, 10.7 percent for preferred provider organizations and 10.5 percent for consumer driven health plans.

"Aon Consulting conducts a healthcare trend survey twice a year to forecast the expected future increase in employer-provided health plan claims cost, before any plan changes, based on input from leading health plan actuaries," John Zern, Aon Consulting's U.S. health and benefits practice director, said in a statement.

Dr. Paul Berger, the company's health and benefits chief medical officer, said approximately 30 percent of workers have chronic medical conditions, which account for 65 percent of U.S. medical spending.

"Wellness programs provide a strong platform for effectively managing chronic conditions and preventing future problems, but it's up to the individual to take advantage of the programs," Berger said.