Workers' Family Health Premium Contributions Jump 9% This Year
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US workers with family health coverage are paying 9% more in premium contributions in 2026, an average of $7,471 for the year, according to KFF's 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey. The rise outpaces the 6% and 7% increases recorded in recent years, and employees of small businesses have faced steeper hikes than those at larger firms. So far, employers have absorbed most of the growth in overall health care costs, shielding workers from the full increase. What remains open is whether that burden-sharing holds if costs continue to climb.
Written by a model from the reports · updated 2 hours ago
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- statnews.comSTAT+: Workers are paying 9% more for family health coverage this year, a higher jump than in the recent past
KFF's 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey finds that U.S. workers' annual contributions for family coverage rose 9% in 2026 to an average of $7,471, exceeding recent years' increases of 6% and 7%. Workers at small businesses faced even larger increases. So far, employers have absorbed most of the overall rise in health care costs.
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