The percentage of employers offering coverage continued to decline in California, according to a report by the California HealthCare Foundation. Only 57% of employers say they provided health insurance to employees in 2015, down from 69% in 2000. Twenty-seven percent reduced benefits or increased cost sharing, and 41% said they were very or somewhat likely to increase employees’ premium contribution in the next year. This trend will have major implications for household budgets. The report also finds the following:
- 42% of firms that had many workers earning $23,000 or less offered health coverage in 2015 compared to 18% in 2014.
- Health insurance premiums for family coverage grew 4.5%, which is a slower growth rate than in recent years. Family coverage premiums have seen a cumulative 216% increase since 2002, compared to a 37% increase in prices.
- The average monthly health insurance premium was $573 for single coverage and $1,554 for family coverage in California, including the employer contribution. It was significantly higher than the national average.
- 40% of workers in small firms faced an annual deductible of at least $1,000 for single coverage, compared to 10% of workers in larger firms.