Out-of-Pocket Health Care Costs Up 30% From 2001-2006 for People With Private Insurance

OPEN MINDS Weekly News Wire Strategic Health Care News Out-of-pocket (OOP) health care costs due to rising deductibles, copayments, and other cost-sharing mechanisms led to a 30% increase in OOP spending between 2001 and 2006 for people with employer-sponsored health care insurance. On average per-person OOP costs were $2,827 in 2001 and $3,744 in 2006. For preferred provider organization (PPO) plans purchased through an employer, the average family deductible increased 30% in just two years, from $1,034 to $1,344. For small firms, PPO deductibles increased by 64%, from $1,439 to . . .