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(Reuters) - Health plan costs are expected to rise at a slightly faster rate in 2008, after three years of flat growth, according to preliminary results of a new survey.

Health benefit costs are expected to grow 6.7 percent in 2008, after increases of around 6 percent in prior years, according to preliminary survey findings released by the health and benefits unit of Mercer Human Resource Consulting.

Costs would grow by 9 percent on average next year if the employers made no changes, but most respondents expect to see a lower increase by changing plans, adding lower-cost options or altering the design of their benefits, Mercer said.

"It's only a slight uptick, but of course we'd rather see cost growth trending down," said Blaine Bos, a senior Mercer consultant.

The results represent responses from 1,557 employer health plan sponsors. Mercer said around 3,000 employers will ultimately participate in the survey and complete results will be released by the end of the year.

source: reuters.com

Dili man ni applicable sa Pinas kay gamay ra man mga tawo sa atoa ang naay health plan.