Over the past decade, health insurance premiums and insurance deductibles for employer-sponsored insurance plans have continued to increase, according to recent Kaiser Family Foundation data analysis.
Here are five trends in employer-sponsored insurance plans identified by Kaiser Family Foundation.
1. Health insurance premiums have steadily grown at a faster rate than workers' wages. From 1999 to 2004, premiums increased an average of 72 percent, while workers' wages increased an average of 17 percent. From 2004 to 2009, premiums grew 34 percent while wages increased on an average of 19 percent. From 2009 to 2014, premiums increased an average of 26 percent, while workers' wages increased an average of 11 percent.
2. Annual premiums for both single and family coverage have increased every year over the last decade. In 2004, the average annual premium for single coverage under an employer-sponsored insurance plan was $3,695, which has increased every year to $6,025 in 2014. In 2004, the average annual premium for family coverage under an employer-sponsored plan was $9,950, which steadily increased to $16,834 in 2014.
3. Annual deductibles for employer-sponsored health plans have increased at large and small businesses. At businesses with 200 or more employees, the average deductible for single coverage under an employer-sponsored insurance plan has grown from $496 in 1996 to $971 in 2014. Likewise, the same type of coverage at businesses with fewer than 200 employees grew from $775 in 2006 to $1,797 in 2014.
4. The majority of large businesses are offering health promotion programs. This year, 98 percent of businesses with 200 or more employees offered an employee wellness program, and 51 percent are offered employees the opportunity to complete a health risk assessment.
5. Less employees at large and small businesses are covered by employer-sponsored plans. In 2004, 68 percent of employees at businesses with 200 or more employees were covered by their employers' health benefits, compared to 62 percent in 2014. Concerning businesses with less than 200 employees, 50 percent were covered by their employers' health benefits in 2004, compared to 44 percent this year.
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