7 reasons for slower spending growth

• Fewer blockbuster drugs

• Slower growth in existing technologies

• Higher out-of-pocket costs for members

• Penalties for hospital-acquired conditions

• Penalties for preventable readmissions

• Accountable care

• Bundled payment

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, last year healthcare spending rose only moderately for the third year in a row, increasing by 0.8% per person, slightly less than the rate of growth of gross domestic product per capita. This trend marks a departure from the previous five decades, and may be fueled in part by payment reforms contained within the Affordable Care Act.

Source: The New England Journal of Medicine, December 25, 2013