In conjunction with the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET), KFF released the 2010 Employer Health Benefits Survey, finding that employers are increasingly shifting health costs to their employees.  The survey found that employees’ share of family health coverage increased 14 percent since 2009, while total premiums rose only 3 percent over the same period.   KFF noted that worker contributions for health insurance premiums rose 47 percent since 2005 while premiums and wages rose 27 percent and 18 percent respectively over the same period.  In addition, the survey found that 31 percent of firms with more than 50 employees made changes to their behavioral health benefits in response to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).  Most eliminated coverage limits to comply with the law.  In addition, 5 percent of those that changed their behavioral health benefits elected to eliminate the benefits completely.

From the report: Employers play a significant role in health insurance coverage – sponsoring health benefits for about 157 million nonelderly people in America1 – so their opinions and experiences are important factors in health policy discussions. Employers were asked how they view different approaches to containing cost increases and about employer health plan practices, such as changes in response to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, review of quality indicators, and whether they shopped for (or switched to) a new health plan.

Full report: 2010 Employer Health Benefits Survey (PDF | 9.138MB)

Kaiser Family Foundation.  (2010).  2010 employee health benefits survey.