Medical Plan Costs Surge, Survey Shows: Medical...

Medical Plan Costs Surge, Survey Shows: Medical plan costs have jumped 46% the past two years, according to a survey of American businesses. A survey by A. Foster Higgins & Co., A NewYork employee benefits consulting firm, showed that the cost of employer medical plans averaged $3,161 per employee in 1990, compared to $2,160 two years ago. Higher medical costs, large catasatrophic claims and increased use of mental health and substance abuse benefits were cited by the 2,000 employers that were surveyed as the major factors contributing to the rise in medical plan costs.