Every late September, the Kaiser Family Foundation releases a report on health insurance premium increases. Click here to link to the Health Affairs article. The chart above is one of the most reproduced charts in US health policy — updated every fall. A picture is worth a thousand words, and this one is worth more than that. The data reflect premium increases from spring 2005 to spring 2006.
Good news: for the 3rd consecutive year, the rate of increase is down, now about where it was in the year 2000 when people began complaining about premium increases again. The magic number is 7.7 percent — the increase in the average family coverage premium.
Bad news: for at least the 8th consecutive year, increases in health insurance premiums outpace increases in overall inflation and workers wages — even though the discrepancy is narrower than any year since 2000. Since 2001, premium increases for individual coverage have gone up 81 percent and for family coverage 59 percent, while the average deductible has increased by 60 percent.
And enrollment in “consumer driven” products? Up by modest amounts at best.
My premiums for Healthnet Medicare supplemental insurance went from $89. per month in 2009 to $119. per month in 2010. This is a 34% increase.
Most frustrating: I called to see how to reduce cost based on health criteria. I take no medications; no smoking or drinking; my BMI is 18.5%. Yet Healthnet offers no incentives for staying well.
Hi,
My health care insurance premium will go up 33% in 2010. Who can I complain to about this.
Thanks
Is there a reporting breakdown by payor and/or by state of the premium increases over time? I would appreciate any information.