Aon plc<\/a> (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services
\nfirm.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
The utilisation
\nof medical plans has recovered from a low in April 2020 and is expected to exceed
\npre-COVID-19 pandemic levels during 2022 as pandemic-related movement
\nrestrictions are further eased. This, combined with rising inflationary
\npressures and an expectation that more of the cost of COVID-19 healthcare will
\ntransition to the private sector, is increasing cost expectations. <\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tim Dwyer, Head of Health Solutions,
\nAsia Pacific, Aon said, “The pandemic caused overall lower utilisation levels
\nin 2020, which provided plan sponsors with some respite. However, the dual effect of higher
\nexpected utilisation and inflationary pressures presents new cost challenges that
\nneed to be managed. The normalisation in utilisation patterns, emerging risks
\nsuch as mental and musculoskeletal health and the potential for a greater
\nCOVID-19 cost burden to fall on the private sector will require employers to
\ncarefully analyse their medical plans as cost pressures increase over the next
\ntwo renewal cycles.”<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
According
\nto the report, over the last year there has been a significant increase in
\nmusculoskeletal conditions likely brought about by increased work-from-home arrangements.
\nFurthermore, medication-related expenses have experienced some of the largest
\ninflationary increases. However, outpatient upper respiratory tract infection
\nclaims were significantly lower than previous years, but these are expected to
\nrecover during 2022 as social distancing and movement restrictions are lifted. <\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
“The good news is that there are plan
\ndesign and behavioural interventions available to mitigate the cost increases.
\nThe route will be uncertain and will vary by country, so it is important that
\ncompanies use data and insights to make better informed decisions to secure
\ncommercial protections at their renewals to deal with the volatility,” Dwyer
\nadded.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Globally,
\ncosts for employer-sponsored medical plans in 2022 are forecasted to increase
\n7.4 percent, though projected medical trend rates vary significantly by region.
\nCosts are expected to increase the most in the Middle East & Africa, with
\naverage medical trend rates forecasted at 11.1 percent. In contrast, Europe is
\nprojected to see the lowest average medical premium rate increase, at 5.6
\npercent.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Forecasted Health Care Benefit Cost Growth from 2021 to 2022 <\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n|
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 2021<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 2022<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n |
\n|
<\/p>\n Global<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.2%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.4%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n |
\n|
<\/p>\n Asia Pacific<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 8.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 8.2%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n |
\n|
<\/p>\n Europe<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 5.5%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 5.6%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n |
\n|
<\/p>\n Latin America & Caribbean<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 8.8%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 10.6%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n |
\n|
<\/p>\n Middle East & Africa<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 12.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 11.1%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n |
\n|
<\/p>\n North America<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 6.6%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Forecasted Health Care Benefit Cost Growth from 2021 to 2022 for
\nSelect Countries
\nin Asia Pacific<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n|
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 2021<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 2022<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Australia<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 2.5%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 3.1%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n China<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Hong Kong<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 5.3%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 5.6%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n India<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 9.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 13.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Indonesia<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 13.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 12.2%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Japan<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 0.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 0.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Malaysia<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 14.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 12.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Philippines<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 8.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 8.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Singapore<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n South Korea<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 7.5%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 8.0%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Thailand<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 6.6%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 11.7%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n Vietnam<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 8.7%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n 5.5%<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Aon’s
\nreport confirms the increasing impact of non-communicable diseases on health
\ncare costs globally. In Asia Pacific, Cardiovascular disease, Cancer\/Tumor
\nGrowth, ENT\/Lung Disorder\/Respiratory, Diabetes and Musculoskeletal\/Back were
\nthe most prevalent health conditions driving health care claims.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Leading Medical Conditions in
\nAsia Pacific and the World Driving Medical Claims Experience<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n|
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Asia Pacific<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Global<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 1)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Cardiovascular disease<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Cardiovascular disease<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 2)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Cancer\/Tumor Growth<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Cancer\/Tumor Growth<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 3)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n ENT\/Lung Disorder\/Respiratory disorder<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n High Blood Pressure\/Hypertension<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 4)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Diabetes<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Diabetes<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 5)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Musculoskeletal\/Back<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n ENT\/Lung Disorder\/Respiratory disorder <\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The report
\nalso confirms the growing prevalence of modifiable risk factors from unhealthy
\npersonal habits in Asia Pacific, such as High Blood Pressure, Physical
\nInactivity, Poor Stress Management, High Cholesterol and Ageing, which directly
\ncontribute to the emergence of non-communicable disease. <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Leading Health Risk Factors in Asia
\nPacific and the World<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n|
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Asia Pacific<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Global<\/b><\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 1)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n High Blood Pressure<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n High Blood Pressure<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 2)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Physical Inactivity<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Physical Inactivity<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 3)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Poor Stress Management<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Poor Stress Management <\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 4)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n High Cholesterol<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Bad Nutrition <\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n 5)<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n Ageing<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n High Cholesterol<\/p>\n
\n <\/td>\n
\n <\/tr>\n | \n|
<\/p>\n |
<\/p>\n |
\n <\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n “Insurers
\nhave responded to emerging needs created by the pandemic by delivering virtual
\nconsultations, prescription delivery and support for employee physical and
\nmental wellbeing. While these services are likely to introduce short-term cost
\npressures, they should – over time – have a controlling effect on medical trend
\nrates,” said Alan
\nOates, Principal and Actuary, Asia Pacific, Health Solutions at Aon. “As we emerge from the pandemic, employee wellbeing is now,
\nmore than ever, critical to controlling costs and boosting organisational productivity,
\nto build a more resilient workforce. Careful analysis of medical claims and population risk
\nfactors can target interventions that modify behaviours to reduce the incidence
\nof non-communicable disease. Employers, both large and small, can take
\nimmediate action in this area.” <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To view
\nthe report, visit https:\/\/insights-north-america.aon.com\/research\/2021-global-medical-trend-rates-report.<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Methodology<\/b><\/p>\n The
\nsurvey was conducted among 108 Aon offices, each one representative of a
\ncountry that broker, administer or otherwise advise on employer-sponsored
\nmedical plans. The survey responses reflect the medical trend expectations of
\nthe Aon professionals based on their interactions with clients and insurance carriers
\nrepresented in each country.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The
2022 Medical Trend Rate for Asia Pacific is up slightly compared to last year’s
8.0 percent and remains above general price inflation In the past year,
utilisation of outpatient services dropped the most in Asia Pacific due to COVID-19
pandemic-related movement restrictions Global health
benefit costs to rise 7.4 percent as medical utilisation returns …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18316,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[60],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18315"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18315"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18315\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18316"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eodishasamachar.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} | | | |