Study predicts increase in health care spending in 2015

The report by PricewaterhouseCoopers says some of the increase is due to pent-up demand among consumers who delayed treatment during the recession.

The New York Times: Consumers Will Spend More On Health Care In 2015, Report Predicts
Growth in health care spending is expected to tick upward next year, in part because consumers who delayed treatment during the economic downturn are now seeking care they postponed, according to a report released on Tuesday. The report, from PricewaterhouseCoopers's Health Research Institute, forecasts medical cost growth of 6.8 percent over all in 2015, compared with the institute's estimate of 6.5 percent for this year (Carrns, 6/24).

The Wall Street Journal's Real Time Economics: After A Lull, Health-Care Spending Is Poised To Pick Up, Study Says
Health-care spending will accelerate next year for the first time since the recession ended, a reversal of a trend that could have broad implications for employers and the economy, a new study says. Spending for identical employee health coverage ... this year will rise by 6.8% in 2015, a study the PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Research Institute released Tuesday found. The gain is only modestly higher than the institute's 2014 forecast of 6.5% growth, but marks the first acceleration in medical outlays since 2007 - when costs were estimated to increase 11.9% (Morath, 6/24).

NBC News: Health Spending Set To Start Growing Faster
Health spending's been damped down by the recession but it's set to start growing at a faster pace again next year, according to a new projection. Spending by people whose employers provide their health insurance - that's most Americans - will grow by 6.8 percent next year, the Health Research Institute at PriceWaterhouseCoopers predicts. That's up from 6.5 percent growth for this year, but still modest compared to double-digit increases in the '90s and 2000s, the group says (Fox, 6/24).

The Fiscal Times: Why You'll Spend More On Health Care Next Year
Americans are set to spend more on health care next year as the economy improves and fewer people are likely to put off seeking medical treatment. A new report by PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC) estimates health care spending will rise by 6.8 percent next year, an increase from this year's estimate of 6.5 percent. The study measures spending growth on the cost of services and the amount of services used in the employer-based health care market. Inpatient and professional services are expected to account for the largest amount of private health insurance spending in 2015 (Ehley, 6/24).

Related KHN coverage: Employer Health Costs Forecast To Accelerate In 2015 (Hancock, 6/24).