The recession and high unemployment are reducing enrollment at large U.S. health insurers, a consulting firm says.

Researchers at Mark Farrah Associates, Kennebunk, Maine, are reporting that overall membership at the 8 largest health carriers fell 1.3% between Sept. 30, 2008, and Sept. 30, 2009, to about 131 million.

Enrollment in insured plans fell 1.6%, and enrollment in "administrative services only" plans fell 1.1%, the researchers found.

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