{"id":36230,"date":"2022-10-30T23:49:38","date_gmt":"2022-10-30T23:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/health-insurance-cost-not-yet-hit-by-inflation-could-soon-spike\/"},"modified":"2022-10-30T23:49:38","modified_gmt":"2022-10-30T23:49:38","slug":"health-insurance-cost-not-yet-hit-by-inflation-could-soon-spike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/health-insurance-cost-not-yet-hit-by-inflation-could-soon-spike\/","title":{"rendered":"Health insurance cost not yet hit by inflation, could soon spike"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> \n<\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el\" aria-label=\"Video\"\/>\n<ul class=\"gnt_ar_sh\">\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_sh_li\">The average family health insurance plan increased 1% this year, but experts warn inflation will send prices higher in 2023.<\/li>\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_sh_li\">Nearly half of Americans said a medical bill has put them in debt.<\/li>\n<li class=\"gnt_ar_sh_li\">About 30% of large employers say their networks do not have enough behavioral health doctors or counselors\u00a0to get workers timely care.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The cost of family\u00a0health insurance plans increased just 1% this year even as inflation reached a four-decade high, with higher prices for gas, groceries,\u00a0rent and other living expenses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The average cost for an employer-provided family\u00a0health plan is $22,463 this year, up $242 from a year ago, according to\u00a0Kaiser Family Foundation&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/health-costs\/report\/2022-employer-health-benefits-survey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">employer health benefits survey released this week<\/a>. Employers cover most of the health insurance tab for nearly 159\u00a0million Americans who get coverage through the workplace; workers this year will pay $6,106 for a family plan, typically through paycheck deductions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Officials warn significant price hikes might surface in 2023 as inflation reaches the health sector and hospitals, doctors and drug companies demand more lucrative payments from health insurers and employers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Kaiser Family Foundation President and CEO Drew Altman said current prices could be the &#8220;calm before the storm,\u00a0as recent inflation suggests that larger increases are imminent.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Everything else costs more. Why are health insurance prices flat?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">This year&#8217;s health insurance premiums were set a year ago before inflation began to take off, according to\u00a0Gary Claxton, Kaiser\u00a0senior vice president and director of the health care marketplace project.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Claxton said the health care industry also is dealing with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.\u00a0People delayed doctor and hospital visits in 2020 when COVID-19 emerged, so insurers spent\u00a0less money on\u00a0routine care and non-emergency operations. Insurer <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jama\/fullarticle\/2772481\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">profits doubled<\/a> that year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"\/>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">CLIMATE CHANGE:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/news.google.com\/story\/news\/health\/2022\/10\/25\/climate-change-worsening-health-lancet-countdown\/10560905002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:10|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">How climate change is hurting Americans\u2019 health \u2013 and what experts suggest we do about it<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">WATCH:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/news.google.com\/videos\/news\/justthefaqs\/2022\/10\/18\/inflation-holiday-shopping-2022\/10534967002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:11|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Inflation may work in your favor this holiday season. Here&#8217;s why.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;Insurers are still making money,&#8221; Claxton said. &#8220;It&#8217;s not like they were struggling and really needed to raise premiums.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Kaiser report warned with inflation this year at 8% \u2013\u00a0the highest rate since the early 1980s \u2013 employers and consumers could see higher-than-average health insurance premium hikes next year.\u00a0Other analysts agree. Benefits consultant Segal projects <a href=\"http:\/\/news.google.com\/story\/news\/health\/2022\/10\/17\/inflation-rising-faster-medical-costs\/10471194002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">health insurance costs will jump 7.4% next year<\/a> as employers and consumers absorb bills from doctors, hospitals and drug companies.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">In a tight job market, employers reluctant to make workers pay more<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Most large companies are self-funded and directly pay\u00a0their workers&#8217; medical claims, even if a private health insurer administers the plan.\u00a0\u00a0And some companies have been reluctant to make their workers pay a larger share for health insurance or pass along costs through higher deductibles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Kaiser reported the\u00a0average deductible for an individual is\u00a0$1,763, up slightly from\u00a0 $1,669 last year. People must pay this amount with their own money before coverage kicks in.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">PREVIOUSLY:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/news.google.com\/story\/news\/health\/2022\/10\/17\/inflation-rising-faster-medical-costs\/10471194002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:18|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Inflation is near a four-decade high. So why aren&#8217;t health care costs significantly higher?<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong class=\"gnt_ar_b_al\">MEDICARE:<\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/news.google.com\/story\/money\/2022\/10\/09\/medicare-supplement-plan-open-enrollment-period-2022\/8193975001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|spike click:19|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">When does Medicare open enrollment take place?\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">&#8220;Going into this year, we were still in a tight job market,&#8221; Claxton said. &#8220;Recruiting employees is expensive (and)\u00a0upsetting your existing employees is not a good idea.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But as employers absorb higher medical costs and the job market\u00a0softens, companies might be more willing to raise premiums and deductibles, Claxton said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Employees at companies\u00a0with fewer than 200 workers already must pay a larger share of their medical costs. The typical deductible at a small company is more than $2,500, or about $1,000 more than at a large company.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Nearly half of Americans have medical debt<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Other polls show Americans are struggling to pay for medical care as daily living expenses increase.\u00a0About 46% of people said a medical bill has put them in debt, according to a poll released this week by the telehealth company Babylon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">About 1 in 3 people have trouble\u00a0paying routine or emergency care and private health insurance coverage. Those\u00a0aged 25 to 34 had the toughest time paying for medical care; more than half of young adults struggled\u00a0to afford private health insurance, the poll of 5,000 adults conducted in August found.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside aria-label=\"advertisement\" class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\"\/>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">A\u00a0Commonwealth Fund survey last month found 42% of\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/news.google.com\/story\/news\/health\/2022\/10\/17\/inflation-rising-faster-medical-costs\/10471194002\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-t-l=\":b|e|inline click|${u}\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">Americans with health insurance\u00a0<\/a>had trouble\u00a0paying a medical bill or past medical debt. And 46% of working-age adults skipped or delayed care in the last year due to cost.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Commonwealth Fund report, however, said those with employer health insurance had more robust coverage compared to those who directly purchased their own health insurance.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">Mental health networks fall short<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Employers also are focusing more on mental heath needs of their workers following the coronavirus pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Kaiser survey said nearly half of large employers reported more workers are using mental health care services. Nearly 1 in 3 report more workers are requesting family leave to address mental health care.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But the survey also showed a longstanding shortage of mental health providers is making it difficult for workers to see a counselor or other specialist. About 30% of\u00a0large employers say their networks do not have enough behavioral health doctors or counselors\u00a0to get workers timely care. Those shortages persist even though more than 1 in 4 large companies expanded their network of in-person and remote telehealth mental-health providers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Ken Alltucker is on Twitter at\u00a0@kalltucker, or can be emailed at alltuck@usatoday.com<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"gnt_em gnt_em__lp gnt_em_gl gnt_em__el\" href=\"http:\/\/news.google.com\/picture-gallery\/money\/2020\/10\/07\/the-healthiest-city-in-every-state\/42715785\/\" data-t-l=\":l|l|c|view gallery:inline promo\" aria-label=\"View Gallery - Wellness across the US: These are the healthiest cities in every state\" data-g-r=\"nav_mo\" data-g-tn=\"pgcss\" data-g-mtn=\"pg42715785\" data-g-moh=\"hpgm\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-expanded=\"false\" onmousedown=\"event.stopPropagation()\" onmouseup=\"event.stopPropagation()\" data-c-id=\"42715785\"><img class=\"gnt_em_gl_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/media\/2020\/10\/02\/USATODAY\/usatsports\/gettyimages-640351570.jpg?crop=1365,768,x0,y0&amp;width=660&amp;height=372&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" data-gl-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/media\/2020\/10\/02\/USATODAY\/usatsports\/gettyimages-640351570.jpg?crop=1365,768,x0,y0&amp;width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" width=\"660\" height=\"372\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/__i\/rss\/rd\/articles\/CBMif2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnVzYXRvZGF5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9uZXdzL2hlYWx0aC8yMDIyLzEwLzI5L2hlYWx0aC1pbnN1cmFuY2UtY29zdC1ub3QteWV0LWhpdC1pbmZsYXRpb24tY291bGQtc29vbi1zcGlrZS8xMDYyMDI2NjAwMi_SAQA?oc=5\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The average family health insurance plan increased 1% this year, but experts warn inflation will send prices higher in 2023. Nearly half of Americans said a medical bill has put them in debt. About 30% of large employers say their networks do not have enough behavioral health doctors or counselors\u00a0to get workers timely care. The &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[161],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36230"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36230"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36230\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.brandon.ddtest.info\/multisite-test\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}