Behind the Numbers: 2011 Medical Cost Trends

      Results from PwC annual employer medical cost trends survey
      Trends and Implications for 2011 Employer benefit decisions

      Detailed research data findings from the Behind the Numbers 2011 Medical Cost Trend Report
      Primary deflators and inflators driving current medical cost trends
      Implications for Employers and other applicable stakeholders regarding these trends
      Specific plan design changes and other key issues being addressed by decision-makers
      New post-recession, post-health reform strategies being undertaken by Employers and Providers

Each year, PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute provides estimates on growth of private medical costs over the next year and what the leading drivers of the trend are expected to be, published in the Institute's "Behind the Numbers" Report on medical cost trends for the coming year. Insurance companies use medical cost trends to help set health plan premiums by estimating what the same health plan this year would cost in the next year. In turn, employers use the information to make adjustments in benefit plan design to help offset any cost increases. The Behind the Numbers Report includes findings of the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health and Well-Being Touchstone Survey of more than 700 employers from 30 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.

While the Report indicates a projected medical cost trend decrease from 9.5% in 2010 to 9.0% in 2011, the small decrease hides a more complicated set of forces, including identified primary deflators and inflators that drive these trends The Report also addresses such forces as specific components of health reform, which will deliver minor impacts in 2011, but major impacts in 2014, and thus require long-range positioning and planning.

This session presents detailed research findings from the Behind the Numbers report, and offers a thorough discussion of implications for employers and others with respect to health benefit and services decision-making, including such issues as benefit design, hospital cost-shifting, EHR, generic drugs, COBRA, wellness programs, retiree coverage and more.

1. Examine the research data findings from the Behind the Numbers 2011 Medical Cost Trend Report
2. Identify the primary deflators and inflators driving current medical cost trends
3. Consider the implications for Employers and other applicable stakeholders regarding these trends
4. Focus on specific plan design changes and other key issues being addressed by decision-makers
5. Understand new post-recession, post-health reform strategies employers and providers are positioning towards, in order to sustain programs and promote health and well-being to their competitive advantage.
6. Engage in interactive learning through online question submission, attendee feedback and opportunity for follow up questions, and networking with attendees, faculty and other professionals through dedicated LinkedIn group
    

• C-Suite Executives
• Health Benefit Executives and Staff
• Human Resources Executives
• Strategy, Planning and Policy Executives and Staff
• Actuarial Executives and Staff
• Business Intelligence Staff
• Informatics and Analytics Executives and Staff
• Other Interested Parties

Attendees would represent organizations including:

• Employers
• Health Plans 
• Third Party Administrators
• Agents
• PBMs
• Benefit Consulting Organizations
• Provider Networks 
• Solutions Providers 
• Associations, Institutes and Research Organizations 
• Media
• Other Interested Organizations