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May 11, 2011 at 08:00 PM
The cost of health care for a typical family of four has increased 7.3% this year, to $19,393.
Milliman Inc., Seattle, has published that figure in its 2011 Milliman Medical Index report, which is based on an analysis of the underlying cost of health care for a family covered by a typical preferred provider organization plan.
Milliman looks at factors such as the cost of inpatient hospitalization, outpatient care, professional services and pharmacy services. The analysis does not include the cost of long term care, and it does not include insurance plan administration costs.
The rate of increase is down from 7.8% in 2010, but employees’ share of total costs has increased to about 40%, from about 37% in 2005, Milliman says.
The cost of outpatient care showed the fastest rate of growth. Average outpatient costs for families in typical PPO plans are 10% higher than they were a year ago, Milliman says.
Milliman also looked at costs in 14 major markets.
In 6 of the 14 markets, typical health care costs for a family of four already exceed $20,000, Milliman says.
