Family Health Insurance Costs: Trends & Average Premiums

Central to the national debate on access to health care is the rising cost of health insurance. Between 1999 and 2009, family health insurance premiums rose from $5,791 to $13,375, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Of that, workers contributed an average of $3,515.

Plan Types

• The averages differ depending on the type of insurance offered. An HMO policy, where the policy only covers doctors who agree to reduced rates, costs an average of $13,470. Point-of-service plans, where a primary care physician guides patients through the health care system, cost an average of $13,075. High-deductible plans, where insurance may not kick in until employees have spent a certain amount on health care, cost an average of $11,083 in 2009.

2008 Figures

• The average family insurance policy cost $12,298 in 2008, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. About 10 percent of policies cost less than $7,600 and 90 percent cost less than $17,000.

Employer Costs

• Employers typically share the cost of a health insurance premium with employees. In 2008, employers paid, on average $8,904. About 10 percent of employers paid less than $3,100. Half paid less than $9,000 and 90 percent paid less than $14,000 for family policies.

Employee Costs

• Employees, on average, contributed about $3,394 for family health insurance.At least 10 percent of workers paid nothing toward their premiums, while half paid less than $2,800 and 90 percent paid less than $6,700.

Highs and Lows

• The average cost of health insurance varies from state to state. In North Dakota, the average family policy in 2006 cost $9,173. In the District of Columbia, that policy cost an average of $13,810.