S&P Indices recently released a report showing that the average per capita cost of healthcare service for insurance plans continued to increase during February.

The firm's Healthcare Economic Composite Index rose by 5.75 percent in the year ending in February. This is a significant rise from the annual growth rate of 5.23 percent recorded during the previous month. The Commercial Index rose by 7.73 percent in the year ending in February, which was also significantly higher than the 7.09 percent growth recorded in January.

"We observed further acceleration in healthcare costs annual growth rates in February," said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Indices. "In keeping with the trends seen since the second half of 2011, February data signaled a general upward trend in healthcare costs, as measured by annual rates of change."

Those consumers who are concerned about not being able to afford their health insurance plan due to continued cost increases may want to explore new policy options. By comparing affordable health insurance rates with their current plan, they may be able to get something that is more in-line with their budget.