Costs by Region | 2018 UBA Health Plan Survey Trends
Overall costs per employee rose 3.8%, from $9,934 in 2017 to $10,313 in 2018 (compared to the 2.1% increase from $9,727 in 2016 to the 2017 cost). Regional cost averages vary even more significantly, making it essential to benchmark both nationally and regionally. For example, a significant difference exists between the cost to insure an employee in the Northeast versus the Central U.S.—plans in the Northeast continue to cost the most since they typically have lower deductibles, contain more state-mandated benefits, and feature higher in-network coinsurance, among other factors. Though historically the lowest cost, plans in the Central U.S. experienced the largest increase in costs in 2017, rising 4.4%, and again this year they experienced a 4.7% increase. The North Central U.S. experienced the largest increase of 5.8% in 2018. While plan costs in the West rose only slightly in 2017 (1.2% from 2016 to 2017), this year, costs in the West decreased 4.0% from 2017 to 2018 making plans in the West among the lowest cost (largely due to the increase in CDHP plan enrollment across the region as well as the continued prevalence of HMO plans in California, as discussed elsewhere in this report).
As a member of United Benefit Advisors, we can provide you with data from the nation’s most comprehensive benchmarking survey of health plans — the UBA Health Plan Survey. By using this data, we can help you more accurately evaluate costs and contrast your current benefit plan’s effectiveness against other companies’ plans by industry, size and region — giving you a distinct competitive edge in recruiting and retaining a superior workforce. Armed with this vital information, we can help you craft a superior benefits package that supports your strategic and financial goals.
