Posted: 06/17/09
Medical spending for a typical family of four covered by employer-sponsored health insurance went up more than 7 percent from 2008 for an average cost of $16,771. Out of that total, 59% will be employer-paid and 24% covered by employee contribution. The remaining 17%, more than $2,800, will be paid out-of-pocket.The numbers come from the fifth annual Milliman Medical Index, which looks at key components of medical spending, including employer and employee costs. Officials with Milliman note that the current economic outlook has significant implications on the cost of healthcare. Decreased business revenue has a direct impact on utilization of healthcare services, the charges for those services and who pays for it.
With direct costs being transferred to the family, prescription, emergency and doctor discounts are becoming more important. Without doctor discounts, it is becoming increasingly commonplace for a family of four in the Miami area to spend upwards of $20,000 each year out-of-pocket.
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