Group medical costs rise.

The cost of providing group health benefits to employees increased sharply during the past 6 months, with the vast majority of employers, regardless of business size, paying significantly more for account renewals than in the fall of 2006, according to a survey by the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers. Despite the cost increases, most employers are continuing their traditional coverage plans and shifting costs to employees in the form of higher deductibles and copayments as opposed to limiting options or discontinuing coverage.