Survey: California Premiums Rise Higher Than National Increase
Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance in California in 2007 rose by 8.3%, significantly higher than the national increase of 6.1%, according to the California Employer Health Benefits Survey, the East Bay Business Times reports. The 8.3% average premium increase is more than double the state's inflation rate of 3.4%.
The survey was conducted by the California HealthCare Foundation and the National Opinion Research Center.
PPO premiums in California increased by 8%, while premiums for HMOs increased by 10% in 2007. HMO premiums also remained between 20% and 25% less expensive than PPO premiums, the Business Times reports.
In 2008, 41% of employers with more than 200 workers said they were very or somewhat likely to increase the amount that employees contribute toward their health insurance.
The annual survey examines statewide and national statistics on health care, including:
- Availability;
- Benefits;
- Cost;
- Coverage; and
- Enrollment (East Bay Business Times, 12/19).