Health Care Cost Rising In 2009

Sandra Block of USA Today Money reports that the average amount employees will pay for health care is expected to increase 8.9% in 2009. Her column also provides good advice on how to try to control your health care expenses.

According to the Hewitt Associates report the average amount employees will pay for health care is expected to increase 8.9% in 2009. The breakdown:

Premiums
2008 2009
$1,806 $1,946

Out-of- pocket costs
2008 2009
$1,707 $1,880

Total
2008 2009
$3,513 $3,826

Her article advises health consumers to take a close look at their health care options during the open enrollment period. As her article states - the difficulty I find is trying to compare plans/options/covered services/drug benefits/co-pays/deductibles, etc. This process is even tough for a health care lawyer and his lawyer wife. The bulk of Americans don't have the skill and expertise to understand the subtle differences.

The folks at change:healthcare recently published a new survival guide for the health care consumer to better understand the the key terms on health insurance. You can download a free copy of the book, "My Healtcare is Killing Me."

Sandra is a native of my hometown, New Martinsville, West Virginia. Great to see her offering good practical advice to health care consumers.