Healthcare spending in the United States is expected to grow at a historically low rate of 7. 5 percent next year

Historically Low Growth in Healthcare Spending Expected in 2013, Projects PwC Health Research Institute

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• NEW YORK, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare spending in the United States is expected to grow at a historically low rate of 7. 5 percent next year, according to the annual Behind the Numbers report on medical cost trend, published today by the Health Research Institute (HRI) of PwC US.   The projection continues a pattern of slower medical growth, a reflection of the sluggish economy, increased focus on cost containment by the industry, lower use of services by cost-conscious patients and efforts by employers to hold down expenses. (132)
• Employers are focused on two primary strategies to control medical costs in 2013:  increasing the employee share of costs and expanding health and wellness programs, according to the PwC 2012 Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey of 1,400 employers in 34 industries.   The survey also showed that plan design features with the most significant changes in 2012 were a considerable increase in in-network deductibles, emergency room co-payments and prescription drug co-payments. said Michael Thompson, principal, human resource services, PwC. re seeing long-term trends that could keep cost increases in check. (141)
• To estimate medical cost trend, HRI conducts research each year to identify new and relevant factors that accelerate or reduce costs.   For the 2013 medical cost trend, HRI relied on multiple sources including interviews with health plan actuaries, providers, health plans and employers, a review of financial analyst reports, government spending data and other published sources, as well as the PwC 2012 Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey.   The 2012 Touchstone survey was completed in the first quarter of 2012 and contains detailed information from approximately 1,400 companies in 34 different industries as well as interviews with health plan actuaries and other executives whose companies provide health insurance for 47 million American workers and their families. s Health Research Institute provides new intelligence, perspectives, and analysis on trends affecting health-related industries. (146)
• HRI research is not sponsored by businesses, government, or other institutions. s Health Industries Group ( ) is a leading advisor to public and private organizations across the health industries, including healthcare providers, pharmaceuticals, health and life sciences, payers, employers, academic institutions and non-health organizations with significant presence in the health market. (156)

Best words:

1. health (20)
2. medical (13)
3. employers (9)
4. industries (7)
5. trend (7)
6.   (7)
7. healthcare (7)
8. spending (7)
9. research (6)
10. survey (5)

Keyword highlighting:

• NEW YORK, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare spending in the United States is expected to grow at a historically low rate of 7. 5 percent next year, according to the annual Behind the Numbers report onmedical cost trend, published today by the Health Research Institute (HRI) of PwC US.  ; The projection continues a pattern of slower medical growth, a reflection of the sluggish economy, increased focus on cost containment by the industry, lower use of services by cost-conscious patients and efforts by employers to hold down expenses. (132)
• Employers are focused on two primary strategies to control medical costs in 2013:  increasing the employee share of costs and expanding health and wellness programs, according to the PwC 2012Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey of 1,400 employers in 34 industries.  ; The survey also showed that plan design features with the most significant changes in 2012 were a considerable increase in in-network deductibles, emergency room co-payments and prescription drug co-payments. said Michael Thompson, principal, human resource services, PwC. re seeing long-term trends that could keep cost increases in check. (141)
• To estimate medical cost trend, HRI conducts research each year to identify new and relevant factors that accelerate or reduce costs.  ; For the 2013 medical cost trend, HRI relied on multiple sources including interviews with health plan actuaries, providers, health plans and employers, a review of financial analyst reports, government spending data and other published sources, as well as the PwC 2012 Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey.  ; The 2012 Touchstone survey was completed in the first quarter of 2012 and contains detailed information from approximately 1,400 companies in 34 different industries as well as interviews with health plan actuaries and other executives whose companies provide health insurance for 47 million American workers and their families. s Health Research Institute provides new intelligence, perspectives, and analysis on trends affecting health-related industries. (146)
• HRI research is not sponsored by businesses, government, or other institutions. s HealthIndustries Group ( ) is a leading advisor to public and private organizations across the healthindustries, including healthcare providers, pharmaceuticals, health and life sciences, payers,employers, academic institutions and non-health organizations with significant presence in thehealth market. (156)

Sentences:

1. Historically Low Growth in Healthcare Spending Expected in 2013, Projects PwC Health...
2. NEW YORK, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare spending in the United States is expected to grow at a historically low rate of 7. 5 percent next year, according to the annual Behind the Numbers report on medical cost trend, published today by the Health Research Institute (HRI) of PwC US.   The projection continues a pattern of slower medical growth, a reflection of the sluggish economy, increased focus on cost containment by the industry, lower use of services by cost-conscious patients and efforts by employers to hold down expenses.
3. Medical inflation has been lower than expected for the past three years, and recalibration of previous estimates shows a low range of 7 percent to 7. 5 percent from 2010 through 2013.
4. Historically, healthcare spending bounces back up as the economy recovers.  But, the HRI report identifies structural changes that may temper that pattern.
5. A fourth year of relatively low growth suggests that the gap between healthcare spending and overall inflation may be narrowing to a more sustainable level.
6. Medical cost trend helps insurers and large employers set premium rates for the following year. s increase could be as low as 5. 5 percent, after accounting for changes in benefit design by purchasers, HRI estimates.
7. Employers are focused on two primary strategies to control medical costs in 2013:  increasing the employee share of costs and expanding health and wellness programs, according to the PwC 2012 Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey of 1,400 employers in 34 industries.   The survey also showed that plan design features with the most significant changes in 2012 were a considerable increase in in-network deductibles, emergency room co-payments and prescription drug co-payments. said Michael Thompson, principal, human resource services, PwC. re seeing long-term trends that could keep cost increases in check.
8. As employers shift expenses to their employees, for example, these workers are pursuing lower-cost alternatives.
9. Even as the economy strengthens, changes in behavior by employers and consumers may help limit medical growth."
10. In Behind the Numbers, HRI explores the leading cross currents likely to shape medical cost trend next year. the trend in 2013 is an uptick in the consumption of healthcare as newly hired workers obtain coverage and patients who postponed elective procedures feel more confident about spending.   Medical and technological advances that provide more specialized, sophisticated and expensive treatment also are expected to push up overall healthcare spending. the medical cost trend in 2013 are: Market pressure to reduce medical supply and equipment costs; increased popularity of new methods to deliver primary care; increased availability of comparative cost information; and accelerated savings from the pharmaceutical patent cliff. said Kelly Barnes, US health industries leader, PwC.
11. The question is: How will the industry respond?
12. We expect to see health organizations create services and partnerships that engage consumers and improve quality. t just dollars spent, but value derived."
13. Behind the Numbers outlines the actions that employers, insurers, providers and pharmaceutical and life sciences companies are taking now to manage costs as well as strategies for the future.  This is the seventh annual Behind the Numbers report published by HRI.
14. A full copy of Medical Cost Trend: Behind the Numbers 2013 and highlights of the 2012 Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey are available at and at .
15. To estimate medical cost trend, HRI conducts research each year to identify new and relevant factors that accelerate or reduce costs.   For the 2013 medical cost trend, HRI relied on multiple sources including interviews with health plan actuaries, providers, health plans and employers, a review of financial analyst reports, government spending data and other published sources, as well as the PwC 2012 Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey.   The 2012 Touchstone survey was completed in the first quarter of 2012 and contains detailed information from approximately 1,400 companies in 34 different industries as well as interviews with health plan actuaries and other executives whose companies provide health insurance for 47 million American workers and their families. s Health Research Institute provides new intelligence, perspectives, and analysis on trends affecting health-related industries.
16. The Health Research Institute helps executive decision makers navigate change through primary research and collaborative exchange.
17. Our views are shaped by a network of professionals with executive and day-to-day experience in the health industry.
18. HRI research is not sponsored by businesses, government, or other institutions. s Health Industries Group ( ) is a leading advisor to public and private organizations across the health industries, including healthcare providers, pharmaceuticals, health and life sciences, payers, employers, academic institutions and non-health organizations with significant presence in the health market.
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