Business news for Sun, 23 Dec 2007 & with word premium. 1 news.

Health insurance premiums in 2007 have remained relatively stable for many employers, some of whom are still reeling from years of double-digit increases, a new survey shows. United Benefit Advisors, an association of independent brokers, culled data from 11,723 employers and 16,485 health plans, making it the most comprehensive snapshot of employer comparative data in the nation. Last year, employers nationwide absorbed premium increases averaging 8.6 percent. This year, renewal increases averaged 7.2 percent nationally, costing employers about $6,881 a year per employee. For Kansas employers, premium increases averaged 5.1 percent this year, costing about $6,116 a year per employee, the survey showed. Industry experts credit the growing popularity of wellness programs and creative benefit packages for keeping costs in check this year -- and perhaps for a few years to come.