Employers estimate health benefits payments will increase an average 4.3 percent per employee in 2018, after accounting for payer switches and increased deductibles, according to a recent Mercer report.
As employers' costs rise, employees face increases in the portion they pay for employer-based coverage. Kaiser Family Foundation's 2017 Employer Health Benefits Survey revealed the average annual premium for employer-based coverage is $6,690 for single coverage this year, up 4 percent since 2016.
From January to June this year, 2,137 firms responded to Kaiser Family Foundation's survey, conducted with American Hospital Association affiliate Health Research & Educational Trust.
Here are five statistics on the employer health benefits market from KFF's report.
1. Average premiums for family coverage total $18,764 this year, up 3 percent from 2016.
2. Since 2012, premiums for employer-based family coverage grew 19 percent.
3. The average dollar contribution employees make toward family coverage increased 32 percent since 2012.
4. The average deductible for single employer-based coverage is $1,505.
5. In 2017, roughly 1 in 4 employees purchased a policy sporting a deductible of at least $3,000.
For the full report, click here.