Healthcare costs will likely increase next year, with rate hikes similar to those for 2016, according to a National Business Group on Health report.
Here are five things to know:
1. There is a 6 percent increase in health benefit cost to employers for 2017, the same as the past two years. But many employers are changing their plans so the costs will only increase 5 percent.
2. There is a surge in pharmaceutical spending, specialty drugs in particular, that is driving the health benefits cost; 31 percent of the respondents indicated specialty pharmacy was the highest driver of health costs.
3. Employees can expect about 5 percent increase in premium contributions with a few changes to their plan designs.
4. Most employers — 90 percent — will make telehealth services available in states where that's allowable next year, a jump from 70 percent in 2016.
5. Consumer-directed health plans are expected to increase slightly, with 84 percent of employers overall offering them next year. More than one-third will only over CDHPs to their employees.
6. The spousal surcharges are expected to level off with 33 percent having spousal surcharges for those who can obtain coverage through their own employer.
7. The options at centers of excellence are growing with 85 percent using centers of excellence next year. The largest increase is expected among bariatric surgery centers.
8. Eighty percent of the respondents plan to offer nurse coaching for care and condition management; 72 percent will offer nurse coaching for lifestyle management.