Big U.S. employers' annual, per-employee health care spending will increase an average of about 7% in 2010, to more than $10,000.
Consultants in the Stamford, Conn., office of Towers Perrin Forster & Crosby Inc. have based that forecast on a survey of about 300 large employers.
The average employee health benefits contribution will increase by 10% at the participating employers, to about $2,000, the consultants predict.
Participating employers will be paying an average of about $5,124 per year for employee-only coverage and $15,084 per year for family coverage, the consultants report.
The percentage of employers offering an account-based health plan, such as a plan incorporating a health savings account or a health reimbursement arrangement, has increased to 60% at the participating employers, from 20% 5 years ago.
Current health reform proposals could accelerate adoption of ABHPs, because the plans have a lower actuarial value than traditional health plans, and offering them would help employers delay reaching the threshold for the proposed "Cadillac plan" excise tax, the Towers Perrin consultants write.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.