The Average Cost of Family Health Insurance in Ohio

Ohio's economy has suffered more than many states during the Great Recession. Household income dropped 7 percent between 2007 and 2009. The percentage of people from the Buckeye State without health insurance rose from 10 percent to 12 percent. That hasn't stopped health insurance premiums from going up, as they have in much of the nation. Between 2004 and 2007, the average health insurance premium for a family rose from $9,590 to $11,279.

Single Rate Increase

• Single Ohioans paid significantly less than those with families.

  The rate for single coverage in employer-sponsored health insurance plans was significantly less expensive than coverage for a family. In 2004, Ohioans with single coverage paid an average of $3,782, compared to $4,448 in 2007, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

2008 Figures

• Insurance is necessary for a family, but expensive.

  According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the average premium in Ohio was $4,089 for a single person. About 10 percent of the policies cost less than $3,000, half cost less than $4,100 and 90 percent cost less than $6,000. For family coverage in 2008, the average cost was $11,425. About 10 percent of these policies cost less than $6,000, half cost less than $11,000 and 90 percent cost less than $17,000. In most cases, employers and employees share these costs.

Employee Contributions

• Healthcare costs are eating up a bigger and bigger slice of the pie.

  Employees picked up a portion of their health insurance costs in most cases in Ohio. In 2008, the average employee with single coverage paid $885 toward health insurance, with 10 percent paying nothing and 90 percent paying less than $1,700. For family coverage, employees paid an average of $2,642. About 10 percent paid nothing and 90 percent less than $5,100.

Employer Costs

• Employers fret about their annual healthcare bills.

  For single coverage, employers paid an average of $3,204 with 10 percent paying less than $910 and 90 percent paying less than than $5,000 in 2008. For family coverage, employers paid an average of $8,783 per policy. About 10 percent of employers paid less than $2,400 and 90 percent of policies cost less than $14,000.

National Averages

• Health insurance will probably cost more next year.

  The cost of health insurance premiums in Ohio cost less than the national average in 2008. In the U.S., the average single policy cost $4,386, compared to Ohio's $4,089. For family coverage, the U.S. average was $12,298, compared to Ohio's $11,425.