SURVEY SAYS: What's Your 2009 Health Cost Trend?

The most common response – a full third ( 34.3% ) of this week’s said their 2009 health care expenses were going up more than 8% , while half that number ( 17% ) said they were going to be up 7%-8%.   As one reader noted, “We were happy to get it down from 18% to 12%.”

However, just as many ( 17% ) said their 2009 health care costs were “essentially flat”, and a few even said their costs were going to be down.

As for the rest:

  8.6% – up between 6% and 7%

17.1% – up between 5% and 6%

  2.9% – up, but less than 5%

This week's Editor's Choice goes to the reader who noted, "Our consultants are projecting 6-7%, but this is like predicting the Super Bowl winner in September...who knows when the New England quarterback will go down or when the plan will experience 20 liver transplants in a year.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!