Employer health cost expected to increase another 9% next year, survey finds

Rising healthcare costs hit employers and their workers this year, and more are expected for 2027 plans — adding to growing concerns about affordability (Source: “Job-Based Health Plan Costs Rise, With Little Relief in Sight,” Kaiser Health News, Oct. 22).
 
Much attention has been focused on mounting costs and declining enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans, the insurance used by about 5% of Ohioans. But work-based plans are adding financial pressure to the 51% of Ohioans who are getting insurance through their employer.
 
Nationally, the amount workers pay toward their own coverage this year rose an average of 9% to $7,471 annually for a family, according to a broad annual survey by KFF. That’s up from the 7.6% jump seen from 2024 to 2025.
 
In response to that increase — which comes on the heels of a 6% increase the previous year — 44% of large employers with at least 200 employees said they upped what workers had to pay toward coverage.
Workers’ earnings rose an average of 3.7% this year, the survey found, while overall inflation was 2.7%.
 
Last week HPIO released Private Health Insurance Basics, an overview of private health coverage in Ohio.