On June 23, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Health Reform released a brief, “Hidden costs of Health Care: Why Americans are Paying More but Getting Less.” The brief documents the rising costs of deductibles, co-payments, and other out-of-pocket expenses, noting that the average health care costs for individuals with employer-sponsored insurance was $1,522 excluding premiums in 2006—up from $1,260 in 2001.  Including premiums, out-of-pocket costs rose 30 percent from 2001 to 2006 and insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000. 

From the report:

With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages.1 In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job.2 Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage.

Full brief: Hidden Costs of Health Care: Why Americans are Paying More but Getting Less (PDF| 812KB)

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Office of Health Reform. (2009). Hidden costs of health care: why Americans are paying more but getting less. Halle, M. and Seshamani, M.