Employer Health Insurance Cost-Sharing Costs
Rising Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Costs for Employees
The financial burden of healthcare is increasingly shifting onto employees with employer-sponsored health plans. Over the last decade, the growth in cost-sharing-the portion of healthcare expenses paid directly by individuals through deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance-has outpaced both wage growth and general inflation. While the rate of increase has recently aligned more closely with inflation, the overall trend remains a concern for household finances.
A 2023 analysis of health benefit claims between 2012 and 2023 found that out-of-pocket costs have risen 37% since 2003. The analysis,using data from the Merative™ MarketScan® Commercial Database,also revealed that in 2023,66% of individuals with employer-provided health coverage spent more than $100 on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
These trends highlight the growing financial strain on employees and thier families, even with employer-sponsored health insurance.