On November 17, Mercer LLC. released a survey, finding that average per employee health benefit costs rose 6.9 percent in 2010, to $9,562.  The findings demonstrate a continued rise in health care cost growth, as benefit costs increased 5.5 percent in 2009.  Mercer also found that the average deductibles for preferred provider organizations (PPO) rose by $100 in 2010, to an average of $1,200. 

From the report:

2010 is Year Zero for health reform – the year against which the effects of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will be measured. Growth in the average total health benefit cost per employee, which had slowed last year to 5.5%, picked up steam, rising 6.9% to $9,562, the biggest increase since 2004, according to the National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, conducted annually by Mercer and released today. Health benefit cost rose three times faster than the CPI in 2010.

Full Report: Health benefit cost growth accelerates to 6.9% in 2010

Mercer LLC. (2010). Health benefit cost growth accelerates to 6.9% in 2010.