Workers Pick up the Tab for Rising Health Care Premiums in Employer-Sponsored Family Plans

Annual family health care premiums for employer-sponsored plans rose 5 percent this year to about $13,375, according to the 2009 Employer Health Benefits survey sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust.  The increase came despite a nearly 1 percent drop in inflation over the same period and a smaller 3.1 percent increase in wages.  

Firms that offer health care coverage say their employees can expect more increases to their health care expenses next year.  According to the survey, 21 percent of employers who offer coverage said they are “very likely” to raise worker premiums next year and 16 percent are “very likely” to raise deductibles.  Meanwhile, 4 percent said they are “very likely” to restrict coverage eligibility and 2 percent are “very likely” to drop health care coverage altogether.