Another health insurance rate hike expected by next year

Mercer has released the results of its annual survey which have indicated that there will be an increase of 5.4 percent to employee health care benefit costs in 2012. Though the forecasted increase in health insurance rates will be the smallest one that has occurred in the last 15 years, it should still be noted that this increase is remarkably higher than salary growth and the inflation rate, the latter of which was at 3.9 percent. The employers who participated in the Mercer survey stated that they have been attempting…

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Recent study finds uninsured Americans not just in low income bracket anymore

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released a new report recently. The report highlights the existing financial problem inherent in the health care system for those unable to afford appropriate insurance coverage. The HHS found that uninsured families are only able to afford 12% of the total cost of hospital stays and medical services. While the findings may not be surprising when attributed to low-income families, the report specifically singled out high-income families, showing that medical costs may be getting out of hand. Of the country’s 50…

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