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Survey: Health cost increases slow

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 19, 2006

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Health care costs are increasing more slowly, though the growth is still expected to reach double digits this year, according to a survey conducted by Aon Consulting, a division of Chicago-based Aon Corp.

Projected increases for HMOs, PPOs, and point-of-service plans are expected to be slightly lower than last year, according to a survey of more than 70 health plans. Costs for HMOs, for example, are expected to increase 12.4% this year, compared with a 13.2% increase last year.

Prescription drug costs also are not expected to increase as much this year as in prior years. General pharmacy costs are projected to increase 12.2% this year, compared with 13.1% last year, according to the survey.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/06/19/bibf0619.htm.

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