Dive Brief:

Families bracing for additional premium shock next year have already absorbed notable increases to the cost of their health plan, according to new research.

Average annual family premiums for employer coverage rose to almost $27,000 in 2025, with workers covering almost $6,900 of that sum, a health benefits survey from research firm KFF found.

That’s a 6% increase compared to 2024 — in line with premium growth in recent years, but still outpacing general inflation and wage growth, which came in at 2.7% and 4% last year, respectively, KFF found.

Dive Insight:

Seemingly unchecked growth in the cost of employer-sponsored health plans has major ramifications for the 154 million working-age Americans who rely on job-based coverage, and spotlights the larger debate about health

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