Key facts
- Worker contribution to family health insurance premiums averaged $7,471 in 2026.
- Total family plan premiums, including employer contributions, averaged $28,303 in 2026.
- Worker-paid premiums increased 9% from 2025 to 2026.
- Commercial healthcare group costs are projected to rise 9% in 2027.
- Employer healthcare costs are projected to climb 9.5% in 2027.
Families are facing escalating health insurance costs, with premiums for family plans averaging $7,471 annually for workers in 2026, a 9% increase from the prior year. When employer contributions are factored in, the total cost for family plans reached $28,303. These rising costs are outpacing wage growth, with premiums consuming nearly 8% of median household income. Smaller businesses are particularly affected due to less bargaining power with insurers. Projections from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Aon indicate further increases, with commercial healthcare group costs expected to rise by 9% and employer healthcare costs by 9.5% in 2027.