Survey: Cost of family coverage climbs 14% for workers

Workers are paying on average 14%, or $482, more toward the cost of family health coverage in 2010 than in 2009, according to the 2010 Employer Health Benefits Survey, released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust. Total premiums for family coverage, including what employers contribute, rose a modest 3%, meaning employers are shifting more of the cost to workers. Since 2005, workers' contributions to premiums have soared 47%, while overall premiums rose 27%, wages 18% and inflation 12%. One in four covered workers now face annual deductibles of $1,000 or more, including nearly half of those employed by small businesses. "If premiums and costs continue to be shifted to consumers, households will face difficult choices, like forgoing needed care, or reexamining how they can best care for their families," said Maulik Joshi, HRET president and AHA senior vice president for research. For more survey findings, visit www.hret.org or the Web First article at www.healthaffairs.org.