Health insurance premiums up 9%, study says

The cost of health insurance provided by an employer now averages $15,073 a year for a family. That's an increase of 9% this year. Since 1999, the cost of insurance has risen 168%, compared with 38% for general inflation. Deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses also have increased… The increase also is in line with averages for southeast Wisconsin based on a survey by HCTrends released in August. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/28)