Raw health insurance premium rates will be up about 10.4% in 2007, but actual health plan premium rates will increase only 8.2%.
The Sherlock Company, Gwynedd, Pa., is basing that estimate on results of a survey of 72 health plans.
Although rates for comparable coverage will increase 10.4%, changes in plan designs and other “benefits buy-downs” will help employers hold the actual rate increase to 8.2%, Sherlock says.