Insights
On September 2, 2010, The Kaiser Family Foundation (Kaiser) and the Health Research and Education Trust (HRET) issued its 2010 Survey of employer – sponsored health benefits. The survey is based on findings from a telephone survey of 2,046 randomly selected public and private employers with three or more employees. The survey was conducted from January through May 2010, and is the 12th annual survey published by Kaiser/HRET.
The key findings of the survey noted increases in the average single and family premium as well as in the amount workers pay for coverage. The survey summary also indicates that many firms increased cost sharing or reduced the scope of coverage, and increased the amount workers pay for insurance as a result of the economic downturn.
Some of the specific findings of the survey include the following:
>Average annual premiums for employer-provided health insurance
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
| Single Coverage |
$ 5,049 |
$ 4,824 |
5% higher |
| Family Coverage |
$13, 770 |
$13,375 |
3% higher |
>Covered workers share of total premiums
|
2010 |
2009 |
|
| Single Coverage | ||
| % |
19% |
17% |
|
$ Amount |
$ 899 |
$ 779 |
| Family Coverage | ||
| % |
30% |
27% |
|
$ Amount |
$ 3,997 |
$ 3,515 |
>Percentage of firms offering health benefits
|
|
2010 |
2009 |
| Small Firms (1-199 workers) |
68% |
59% |
|
Large Firms (200 or more workers) |
99% |
98% |
| All Firms |
69% |
60% |
| Preferred Provider Plans (PPOs) |
58% |
| Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) |
19% |
| High Deductible Health Plans with Savings Option (HDHP/SOs) |
13%* |
| Point of Service Plans (POS) |
8% |
| Conventional Plans |
1% |
The survey may be a useful tool for a fresh comparison with your company’s health benefit plan. The complete survey can be found on The Kaiser Family Foundation website at www.kff.org.
Schneider Downs provides accounting, tax, wealth management and business advisory services through innovative thought leaders who deliver the expertise to meet the individual needs of each client. Our offices are located in Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, OH.
This advice is not intended or written to be used for, and it cannot be used for, the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties that may be imposed, or for promoting, marketing or recommending to another person, any tax-related matter.
Tax Advisors
Kaiser/HRET Releases 2010 Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Benefits
By Ron Kramer
September 14, 2010