HMO Premium Hikes Likely Next Year
Wednesday, 6 October 1999
N E W Y O R K (AP)
HMO CONSUMERS next year can expect premiums to increase by
an average 11 percent, up from an 8 percent hike this year,
according to a survey of health plans released Wednesday.
The regional average rate of projected increases for 2000 ranged
from 8.3 percent in the Pacific region to 12.7 percent in the
Mid-Atlantic region, according to survey by Sherlock Co., a health
care consulting firm based in North Wales, Pa.
Health maintenance organizations predicted premiums would
increase 4.6 percent for 1998, and they predicted a 2.6 percent
jump in 1997, the consulting firm said. The predictions tended to
be close, but usually somewhat higher, than the actual increases.
The results of this year's survey was based on surveys completed
by 143 HMOs, about 22 percent of health plans nationwide.
Premiums are expected to increase next years as HMOs seek to
pay for rising drug costs and higher rates demanded by doctors
and hospitals, said consultant Douglas Sherlock. |
