The Average Family Health Insurance Premium

Central to the national debate on access to health care is the rising cost of health insurance. Between 1999 and 2009, family health insurance premiums rose from $5,791 to $13,375, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Of that, workers contributed an average of $3,515.

Plan Types

• The averages differ depending on the type of insurance offered. An HMO policy, where the policy only covers doctors who agree to reduced rates, costs an average of $13,470. Point-of-service plans, where a primary care physician guides patients through the health care system, cost an average of $13,075. High-deductible plans, where insurance may not kick in until employees have spent a certain amount on health care, cost an average of $11,083 in 2009.

2008 Figures

• The average family insurance policy cost $12,298 in 2008, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. About 10 percent of policies cost less than $7,600 and 90 percent cost less than $17,000.

Employer Costs

• Employers typically share the cost of a health insurance premium with employees. In 2008, employers paid, on average $8,904. About 10 percent of employers paid less than $3,100. Half paid less than $9,000 and 90 percent paid less than $14,000 for family policies.

Employee Costs

• Employees, on average, contributed about $3,394 for family health insurance.At least 10 percent of workers paid nothing toward their premiums, while half paid less than $2,800 and 90 percent paid less than $6,700.

Highs and Lows

• The average cost of health insurance varies from state to state. In North Dakota, the average family policy in 2006 cost $9,173. In the District of Columbia, that policy cost an average of $13,810.