Health insurance premiums surge again

Chances are you’re going to pay more for health insurance next year. Nonprofit KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation) says family premiums for employer-sponsored health plans will average $26,993 next year, a 6% hike, similar to the 7% increase the past two years. Workers on average contribute $6,850 annually, with employers covering the rest. Over the past five years, the cumulative increase in family premiums is 26%, similar to inflation and wage growth. “There is quite the alarm bell going off,” KFF President and CEO Drew Altman said. “With GLP-1s, increases in hospital prices, tariffs and other factors, we expect employer premiums to rise more sharply next year.”