Survey: Premiums for employer-sponsored family coverage up 3% in 2017

The average annual premium for employer-sponsored family health coverage rose 3% this year to $18,764, including employer and worker contributions, according to the latest annual survey of employer-sponsored health insurance by the Kaiser Family Foundation and AHA’s Health Research & Educational Trust. Since 2012, average family premiums have increased a cumulative 19%, down from 30% over the previous five years. The average annual premium for single coverage increased 4% in 2017 to $6,690, including employer and worker contributions. About eight in 10 covered workers have a general annual deductible for single coverage, averaging about the same as last year at $1,505. “This year’s findings continue a positive run of a slowing in premium increases and in the growth of health care costs overall,” said Jay Bhatt, D.O., president of HRET and senior vice president and chief medical officer at the AHA. “As policymakers and providers continue to work to improve health care, ensuring it remains affordable and accessible is critically important.”