title: Health benefits in 2014: stability in premiums and coverage for employer-sponsored plans.
abstract: The annual Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research and Educational Trust Employer Health Benefits Survey found that in 2014 the average annual premium (employer and worker contributions combined) for single coverage was $6,025, similar to 2013. The premium for family coverage was $16,834--3 percent higher than a year ago. Average deductibles and most other cost-sharing amounts were similar to those in 2013. On average, in 2014 covered workers paid nearly $5,000 per year for family health insurance premiums, and 18 percent of covered workers were in a plan with an annual single coverage deductible of $2,000 or more. Fifty-five percent of employers offered health benefits in 2014, similar to 2013. The Affordable Care Act has not yet led to substantial changes in the employer-based market. However, the next few years could present a different picture as delayed provisions and other changes take effect. This year's survey included new questions on firms' policies related to enrolling spouses and dependents, enrollment in private exchanges, and the use of narrow networks and financial incentives for wellness programs.
authors.affiliation: Gary Claxton is a vice president and director of the Health Care Marketplace Project at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington, D.C.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Claxton
authors.affiliation: Matthew Rae (matthewr@kff.org) is a senior policy analyst at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rae
authors.affiliation: Nirmita Panchal is a policy analyst at the Kaiser Family Foundation.
authors.forename: Nirmita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panchal
authors.affiliation: Heidi Whitmore is a senior research scientist at NORC at the University of Chicago in Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Whitmore
authors.affiliation: Anthony Damico is an independent consultant for the Kaiser Family Foundation.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Damico
authors.affiliation: Kevin Kenward is director of research at the Health and Educational Trust in Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kenward
mesh_terms: D017047:Cost Sharing / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010415:Pensions; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs
keywords: Access To Care; Cost of Health Care; Employer-Based System < Insurance; Health Reform; Health Spending