Mercer survey finds $1,000 health plan deductible was the norm in 2008

The median deductible required by employers for individual coverage in PPO health plans jumped to $1,000 in 2008, up from $500 last year, according to the National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans , conducted annually by Mercer and released today. In 2000, only about half of employers imposed a deductible for PPO coverage (compared to about four-fifths today), and when they did the median amount was just $250 (Fig. 1). PPOs are the most popular type of health plan, enrolling 69 percent of all covered employees.  (Select News, 19 Nov 2008)

• National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans (Mercer, 19 Nov 2008)

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