All articles tagged with #employer coverage
A new report highlights that the average family job-based health insurance premium has risen to nearly $27,000, marking a 6% increase in 2025, with costs outpacing wages and inflation, and concerns mounting over rising drug and hospital costs, especially amid ongoing federal shutdown and potential Medicaid cuts.
The popularity of weight loss drugs, especially GLP-1 medications, among workers with employer health insurance is increasing, leading to higher costs for employers and prompting some to reconsider coverage policies. Larger firms are more likely to cover these drugs, but rising usage and prices are impacting their budgets, potentially affecting future insurance premiums and employee costs.
Family health insurance premiums in the U.S. have reached a record average of nearly $27,000, driven by rising costs for weight loss drugs, hospital prices, and other factors, with further increases expected in 2026. Employers and workers are bearing the growing financial burden, and some employers are considering reducing coverage for costly medications like Wegovy. The trend indicates a continued escalation in healthcare costs across various markets.
A new report highlights that family health insurance premiums through employers have risen 6% in 2025 to nearly $27,000 annually, with costs increasing faster than wages and inflation, amid ongoing political and economic challenges affecting healthcare affordability for millions.
Health insurance premiums in the US are rising, but some companies, including large corporations like Boston Consulting Group and startups like Bartesian, are covering all employee premiums to attract talent and reduce employee stress, despite the rising costs driven by for-profit healthcare companies and increased demand post-pandemic.
Many U.S. companies are facing challenges in providing health insurance coverage for GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, despite increasing demand. The high cost, lack of long-term data on effectiveness, and potential side effects are causing employers to grapple with coverage decisions. While some are already providing coverage with limitations, others are considering it. Employers are concerned about the substantial costs, with some already covering the drugs citing higher employee satisfaction and wellbeing. Consumers without coverage may face significant out-of-pocket expenses, but some may be eligible for manufacturer assistance programs. Despite the current coverage challenges, experts expect that most companies will eventually provide coverage for these drugs due to their potential long-term benefits.
The annual cost of family health insurance coverage at work has risen to nearly $24,000, a 7% increase from last year, according to a survey by KFF. Employees are now paying an average of $6,575 for their share of the premium, up almost 8% from last year. Deductibles remained flat, reflecting employers' concerns about the financial burden on workers. Additionally, the survey found that some large firms do not cover legal abortions, while others offer financial assistance for employees who have to travel to other states for the procedure.
The popularity of the obesity drug Wegovy is causing US employers to reconsider their coverage of weight-loss treatments. Previously, many large employers covered weight-loss drugs, but the high cost of Wegovy and the significant increase in its usage have prompted employers to reassess reimbursement policies to prevent a surge in health insurance costs. Wegovy and similar drugs have been shown to help people lose around 15% of their body weight, but they come with a hefty price tag of over $1,000 per month. The rising use of Wegovy has led to a 250% increase in costs for employer-sponsored health insurance in the first two months of 2023 compared to all of 2022. Employers may introduce restrictions or additional eligibility requirements for coverage, such as trying cheaper weight-loss drugs or demonstrating weight loss progress within a certain timeframe.