2022 Employee Health Benefits Annual Survey Summary

3 minute read

The Kaiser Family Foundation conducts an annual survey to examine employer-sponsored benefit trends. Here are some of the 2022 survey’s key findings.

Health Insurance Premiums

Average health insurance premiums have risen 20% over the last five years and 43% over the decade. The average 2022 premiums for single coverage were $7,911 and $22,463 for family.

For high deductible health plans with savings options (HDHP/SOs), the annual premium was $7,288 for single coverage and $21,136 for family coverage.

For preferred provider organization (PPO) plans, the average premium was $8,272 for single coverage and $23,426 for family coverage.

Self-funding

Self-funded plans have become more popular over the past few years. A self-funded plan is when an organization self-funds or pays for some or all their health services directly from their own funds instead of purchasing health insurance. Sixty-five percent of covered workers (20% in small firms and 82% in large firms) are self-funded.

Plan Enrollment

Enrollment figures are as follows:

• PPOs – 49% of workers covered
• Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) – 12% of workers covered
• Point-of-Service (POS) plans – 9% of workers covered
• HDHP/SOs – 29% of workers covered

Employer Cost Sharing

The average deductible for single coverage was $1,763 in 2022. It has increased by 17% over the past five years and nearly 61% over the past decade.

Working Contributions

The average single coverage worker contribution was 17% and 28% for family coverage.

Mental Health

There is a growing need for mental health services. Nearly half of large companies saw an increase in worker usage with 29% saying more employees requested family and medical leave because of increasing mental health issues.

Eighty one percent of large employers said they offered an employee assistance program for mental health.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine services had an increased popularity during the pandemic. For 2022, 96% of large employers offered health care services through telemedicine and so did 87% of small firms.

Availability of Employer-sponsored Coverage

Smaller firms (3-199 employees) are less likely than larger firms (200+ employees) to offer health benefits. Overall, 78% of workers are eligible for health benefits at firms that offer coverage, and 77% of them take up the organization’s offer.

Conclusion

The 2022 health benefit figures didn’t change much compared to 2021. Many premiums were locked in before the extent of record-high inflation was known. Premiums may significantly increase in 2023 as it catches up to earnings and inflation increases. Employers should begin identifying tools and resources to offset higher premiums and offer robust mental health support. Download the bulletin for more details.