Report: Medical Claim Costs to Rise in Illinois

A new report says the national health law will lead to a nearly 51 percent increase by 2017 in the cost of medical claims paid by insurers selling policies to individuals in Illinois.

The report from the Society of Actuaries says costs will rise largely because of spending on sicker people and other high-cost groups who will gain coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Medical claims are considered the biggest driver of the cost of health insurance premiums.

The report does not make similar estimates for employer plans, which cover workers and their families.

The White House questions the design of the study, saying it focuses only on one piece of the puzzle and ignores cost relief strategies in the law such as tax credits to help people afford premiums.