Analysis: Health costs jump nearly 5% nationwide this year

An analysis from benefits consulting group Aon Hewitt found health costs rose this year for employers and workers an average of 4.9 percent nationwide. In the midwest, two news outlets examine how this figure plays out locally.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Health Benefits Costs Rise 5.2 percent For Large Employers, 5.9 percent For Workers
Large employers in the Milwaukee area will spend an average of $12,691 for each employee to provide health benefits this year, an increase of 5.2 percent from last year, according to an annual survey by Aon Hewitt, a benefits consulting company. In addition to the employer's cost, employees will spend an average of $5,238 this year for their share of the cost of insurance and out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles, or 5.9 percent more than last year. The survey also shows that costs remain higher in the Milwaukee area than the national average (Boulton, 10/3).

Chicago Sun-Times: Health Care Costs Jumping 9% For Chicago Workers, Report Estimates
Chicago area workers can expect their average health care costs to jump 9.2 percent next year from 2012, according to an analysis by Lincolnshire-based Aon Hewitt released Wednesday. Including employee contributions and out-of-pocket costs, health care costs are expected to rise to $5,595, up from $5,122 in 2012, the human resources and benefits consulting company said. Average employee premium contributions are expected to rise to $2,713 from $2,508, and average out-of-pocket costs are expected to rise to $2,882 from $2,614. This year companies and workers in Chicago saw higher cost hikes than were experienced nationally, compared with 2011. The average health care cost per employee in Chicago rose 5.7 percent to a cost of $10,616 this year, including employer and employee contributions, but excluding employee co-pays. That compares to the national average of a 4.9 percent increase (Knowles, 10/3).