2009 HMO Rates Expected to Increase by 11.8%

OPEN MINDS On-Line News Strategic Health Care News In 2009, rate increases for United States health maintenance organizations (HMO) will average about 11.8%. The projected rate increase represents a slight slowing of projected increases; in 2008 HMO rates were expected to rise by 13.2%; after changes, negotiations, and terminations, the actual 2008 rate increase was about 9.4%. The highest HMO rate increases of 15.4% are expected in the Southeast; the lowest premium increases of 7.3% are expected in the Southwest. These are findings of a report on HMO premiums by Hewitt Associates. The report . . .