[quote=SK in CV]If you haven’t had these sorts of YOY increases in the past you’re unique. I don’t even consider it huge. My premiums increased 311% over the last 9 years (for a policy year beginning 7/1/10). Three times over that period, premiums increased by more than 25% in a single year. My experience was only slightly higher than most because of my particular employee census. That you’ve never had those kinds of increases is almost shocking. Twenty percent a year has been pretty typical . . .[/quote]
SK, I just figured out my premiums have gone up 253% since 2004 and this is the first year they have actually gone up 20%. All during that time, I was enrolled in the same HDHP. And no, I did not recently hit a new “age bracket.” My carrier has a new “age-bracket” for EVERY age.
[quote=SK in CV]Certainly the possiblity exists that increases were accelerated in anticipation of some price controls under the new law which won’t take effect for a few years.
But we certainly weren’t promised any declines in premiums, before the law even takes effect. Anyone that was expecting that wasn’t paying attention.[/quote]
Didn’t expect declines, SK, but also didn’t expect to pay for all my “contemporaries'” health problems, either, in the form of an undeserved much higher premium on an HDHP. And it’s not over yet.
[quote=SK in CV][quote=bearishgurl]Unfortunately, the loss of full-time jobs will continue to be the fallout from the HCRA. I see many firms with just over 50 employees begin to pare down their workforces to <49 employees before 2014 to avoid being mandated to offer health coverage.[/quote]
That makes no sense. Why would any company intentionally shrink now, because of costs that may rise 3 years from now? I'm not disputing that you're seeing it, but I'm in contact with a few dozen businesses every month in that same size range, and not a single one has moved in that direction. Some of those currently under 50 employees are ecstatic with the new tax credits that will help them pay their employees insurance, beginning this year.[/quote]
SK, I never stated that employers are shrinking their workforces RIGHT NOW. I stated that they WILL by 1/1/14 if they have just over 50 employees today and can easily retire some and/or not fill openings to have *under 50* employees by 1/1/14. This unnoticeable "RIF over time" wouldn't be very hard to plan for and implement.
