Tracking health care costs: hospital spending spurs double-digit increase in 2001.

This Data Bulletin is based on data from the Milliman USA Health Cost Index ($0 deductible), which is designed to reflect claims increases faced by private insurers; the Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research and Educational Trust survey of employer-based health plans for 1999- 2002; the KPMG survey of employer-based plans for 1991-98; and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment, Hours and Earnings series to track payroll costs and Hospital Producer Price Index to track hospital prices.