Regarding the cost of health care, it's not whether it is going up but by how much.

A survey of insurers by a Chicago consulting firm estimates cost will rise about 10 percent into next year. The jump is the smallest the firm has seen in six years of surveying.

Costs are rising to meet patient demand for services, the needs of an aging population and prescription drug and technology costs, the company told The Associated Press.

The survey credits employee wellness or disease management programs that may be paying dividends to employers who sponsor them. The survey, by Aon Consulting Worldwide, gives employers a benchmark to gauge premium renewals.

The Wellness Council of America estimates investing $1 in an employee wellness program saves $3 in health care costs. Employers can expect nine to 12 percent increases but they can pare that down with by cutting benefits.