Survey: Employer Health Costs To Rise Nearly 9% This Year

A new survey conducted by Buck Consultants says employer healthcare costs are expected to rise nearly 9% in 2014.

“Even though the decline is good news, most health plan sponsors still find 8% to 9% cost increases unsustainable,” said Harvey Sobel, a principal at Buck Consultants, a benefits consulting firm that surveyed 126 insurers and health plan administrators nationwide.

The report also found that costs for preferred-provider organization, or PPO, plans are expected to rise 8.7% this year, down from 9% last year.

HMO plans are expected to increase 8.6%, down just slightly from the previous year, according to Buck Consultants.