Across States, Slower Growth in Employer Health Plan Costs, but Wages Still Not Keeping Up
<p>Premiums and deductibles for employer-sponsored health insurance grew more slowly in 31 states and the District of Columbia between 2010 and 2013, following passage of the Affordable Care Act, according to a new Commonwealth Fund analysis out today. While good news, the more modest rise in health insurance costs still exceeded growth in median income in a majority of states over this period.</p><p>In the issue brief <em><a href="/publications/issue-briefs/2015/jan/state-trends-cost-employer-health-insurance-coverage-2003-2013">State Trends in the Cost of Employer Health Insurance Coverage, 2003–2013</a></em>, researchers report that in 37 states, average annual health plan premiums, including both the employer and employee contributions, represented 20 percent or more of household income in 2013. Workers in Southern states, where median incomes are lower than elsewhere in the U.S., face among the highest cost burdens.</p>
<p>Use our <a href="/~/media/ad2141d3e2e64d2f8647a4b01ee5288b.ashx">interactive map</a> to find out how recent growth in employer insurance premiums and deductibles varies from state to state, as well as how big a bite these costs take out of worker incomes.</p>