The cost of providing private medical care to staff continues to outpace price inflation in 29 economies, according to research by Mercer Marsh Benefits. Medical inflation is anticipated to run at around 10.5% in 2015, compared with global price inflation of 3.8%, the consultant suggests.
In Europe, cancer was cited in the top three causes of medical claims by 57% of health insurers, with diseases of the circulatory and gastrointestinal systems also featuring at the top of the list. The report finds that access to healthcare for the most common physical healthcare needs is largely in place but that areas such as counselling and mental ill health are less consistently addressed. The consultant predicts that governments around the world will continue to place increasing emphasis on employer-based provision in order to respond to emerging health needs, including preventative care.
John Deegan, Mercer Marsh Benefits’ lead in Europe, said:
‘Governments are putting a greater onus on employers in many European countries. Compared to other regions, Europeans are seeing greater traction in employer-sponsored plan design provisions to shift some costs onto employees such as new cost sharing and accountability provisions.’