AHRQ Survey Finds Employee Health Care Costs Are On the Rise
Employee contributions to employer-sponsored health coverage increased by as much as 121% from 2001 to 2009, according to a report released Wednesday by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Journal reports (Fox, National Journal, 6/8).
Outpacing Inflation
According to the report, employees' share far outpaced the inflation rate, the 21.1% increase in the consumer price index and the increase in overall insurance premiums from 2001 to 2009 (Walker, MedPage Today, 6/8).
The report also found that, from 2001 to 2009:
- Premiums for single coverage increased by 61.6%, from $2,889 to $4,669, while employee payments increased by 92.2%, from $498 to $957 (National Journal, 6/8);
- The average annual share for employees with employee-plus-one coverage increased by 121%, from $1,070 to $2,363, while the premium cost to the employer for the same plan rose by 65.7%, from $5,463 to $9,053; and
- The average annual premium share for a family plan increased by nearly 100%, from $1,741 to $3,474, while the employer's share of the premium increased by 73.5% (MedPage Today, 6/8).