Tennessee healthcare costs jump 10 percent

The average premium for healthcare insurance in Tennessee jumped 10% in 2008, according to the 2008 Healthcare eSurvey. Nationally, the average premium increase for all industries was 11.1%, according to the survey. When comparing plans in 2008, 60.6 percent of Tennessee healthcare organizations offering PPO plans saw an average increase of 10 percent, while POS plans had average premium increases of 9 percent. To contain rising costs, Tennessee healthcare organizations used such things as wellness programs, benefit coordination, and/or a network of healthcare professionals.