Stuck on health costs; Efforts to slow growth stalled at 6 percent a year, local survey says.(News)

Crain's Detroit Business, May, 2007 by Shea, Bill

Byline: Bill Shea Progress by Southeast Michigan employers in their effort to control health care costs has slowed, a survey scheduled to be released today shows. The average cost for employer-provided group health benefits increased by 6 percent for the second consecutive year, according to the fourth annual McGraw Wentworth Mid-Market Group Benefits Survey.

The increases have leveled off after dropping from 11 percent in 2004 and 9 percent in 2005. Next year also is expected to have a 6 percent average increase, said Becky McLaughlan, principal at McGraw Wentworth. The Troy-based employee-benefit-consulting company surveyed 1,200 Southeast Michigan employers with between 100 and 10,000 employees, and 368 responded. The biggest surprise from this...

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