Milliman-2011 Medical Index

The Milliman report analyzes what is and isn't driving the increasing rate of health care costs in the United States. In 2010, health care costs rose by 7.3 percent, which is the slowest rate of increase in over ten years. By comparison, the Consumer Price Index rose only about 1.5 percent last year. According to the report, the new federal health care law is not the cause of the increase; if the law works as intended, costs could go down and if it is not successul costs will not. The report identifies outpatient care as a key cost driver, "At 10%, the increase in outpatient facility costs is greater than any of the other components of care. This is the third year in a row that outpatient facility costs have increased more than any other compononent."