A Hewitt Associates study found that employer’s share of employees’ health insurance premiums will increase an average of 8.8 percent in 2011, up from 6.9 percent in 2010 and 6 percent in 2009.  However, the analysis estimates that the national health care reform law’s consumer protections will account for only 1 to 2 percent of that increase.

From the study:

Due to recent higher medical claim costs, an aging population and changes brought about by health care reform, employers can expect 2011 health care cost increases to be at their highest levels in five years, according to an analysis by Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company. Next year, Hewitt projects an 8.8 percent average premium increase for employers, compared to 6.9 percent in 2010 and 6.0 percent in 2009.

Full Article: U.S. Health Care Cost Rate Increases Reach Highest Levels in Five Years, According to New Data from Hewitt Associates (HTML)   

Hewitt Associates. (2010). U.S. Health care cost rate increases reach highest  levels in five years, according to new data from Hewitt Associates.