"Despite the reported slowdown in healthcare spending, consumers are unlikely to have noticed such a change because of the sharp increase in deductibles.... Currently 81% of workers are in plans with a general annual deductible. Workers at smaller firms face average deductibles of $1836, which is 66% more than the $1105 average paid by workers in large firms. Meanwhile, premiums continued to grow moderately, rising an average of 4% this year, compared with an average growth of 5% each year since 2005 and 11% annually between 1999 and 2005."  MORE >>