Employers’ Healthcare Premiums Skyrocket

Premiums for employees’ family health insurance increased at more than double the U.S. inflation rate to over $25,000 in 2024, according to researcher KFF.  This was an approximate 7% increase from the prior year.  The increase comes partially from the new weight-loss drugs, although currently only about one in five employers cover such drugs.  Those drugs cost approximately $1,000 a month.

Workers contribute an average of a little over $6,000 a year for family coverage, so this doesn’t cover annual premiums.  Some employers are trying to reduce the burden of rising healthcare costs by offering limited plans with more affordable coverage or reducing lower-wage workers’ premiums. 

Overall inflation may be slowing, but it takes time for those trends to show up in health insurance premiums, according to surveys. 

This article is part of our February 2025 Newsletter. 

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