KFF: 2026 Family Health Premiums Rise 5% to $28,303

fact_check Facts

1. KFF published the 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey on October 22, 2026.

2. The 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey included 1,937 interviews with non-federal public and private firms.

3. The average annual premium for employer-sponsored single health coverage is $9,804 in 2026.

4. The average annual premium for employer-sponsored family health coverage is $28,303 in 2026.

5. The average single premium increased by 5% over the last year.

6. The average family premium increased by 5% over the last year.

7. Workers’ wages increased by 3.7% over the last year.

8. Inflation was 2.7% over the last year.

9. Over the last five years, the average premium for family coverage has increased by 28%.

10. Over the last five years, workers’ wages have increased by 26.9%.

11. Inflation was 24.4% over the last five years.

12. On average, covered workers contributed $7,471 toward the cost of family coverage in 2026.

13. The average worker contribution for family coverage increased by $621 from 2025.

14. The average worker contribution for family coverage increased by 9% from 2025.

15. The average deductible among covered workers in a plan with a general annual deductible was $1,955 for single coverage in 2026.

16. On average, covered workers contribute 18% of the premium for single coverage.

17. On average, covered workers contribute 27% of the premium for family coverage.

18. The average annual contribution amount for covered workers is $1,672 for single coverage.

19. Fifty percent of covered workers are enrolled in a PPO in 2026.

20. Twenty-nine percent of covered workers are enrolled in an HSA-qualified plan in 2026.

21. Twelve percent of covered workers are enrolled in an HMO in 2026.

22. Eight percent of covered workers are enrolled in a POS plan in 2026.

23. Seventy-one percent of covered workers are enrolled in plans that are self-funded.

24. Eighty-eight percent of workers with single coverage have a general annual deductible.

25. Thirty-eight percent of covered workers are in a plan with a general annual deductible of $2,000 or more for single coverage.

26. The average coinsurance rate is 20% for both primary care and specialist visits.

27. Sixty-seven percent of firms with 10 or more workers offer health benefits in 2026.

28. Ninety-two percent of workers are employed by a firm that offers health benefits to at least some of its workers.

29. At firms that offer coverage, 80% of workers are eligible on average.

30. Among eligible workers, 74% take up the firm’s offer.

31. Overall, 59% of workers at firms that offer health benefits are enrolled in that coverage.

32. Across firms that offer health benefits and firms that do not, 55% of workers are covered by a health plan offered by their employer.

33. Among firms with 200 or more workers, 18% cover GLP-1 agonists when used primarily for weight loss in 2026.

34. Among firms with 200 or more workers that cover GLP-1 agonists for weight loss, 29% say that covering these medications has had a “significant” impact on their plan’s prescription drug spending.

35. Among firms with 200 or more workers that offer health benefits and do not cover GLP-1 agonists for weight loss, 1% say that they are “very likely” to begin covering them within the next 12 months.

36. Among firms with 200 or more workers that offer health benefits and do not cover GLP-1 agonists for weight loss, 12% say that they have stopped covering these medications for weight loss within the last 12 months.

37. Among firms with 200 or more workers, 24% of firms with 200 to 999 workers provide coverage for IVF services in their plan with largest enrollment.

38. Among firms with 200 or more workers, 38% of firms with 1,000 to 4,999 workers provide coverage for IVF services in their plan with largest enrollment.

39. Among firms with 200 or more workers, 47% of firms with 5,000 or more workers provide coverage for IVF services in their plan with largest enrollment.

40. Seven percent of firms with 200 or more workers offering health benefits say that the number of services subject to prior authorization is “higher” than it was last year.

41. Among firms that say that the number of services subject to prior authorization is “higher” than it was last year, 48% say that prior authorization was added to additional services to help control overall cost growth in the plan.

42. Fifty-one percent of firms characterize the network in their plan with the largest enrollment as “very broad.”

43. Among firms with 200 or more workers offering health benefits, 34% say that they have added new virtual providers for substance use conditions within the last two years.

44. Among firms with 200 or more workers offering health benefits, 20% say that they have added new providers or facilities for in-person care for substance use conditions within the last two years.

45. Only 17% of firms say they are “very satisfied” with the overall cost of care.

46. Forty-two percent of firms say they are “very satisfied” with the quality of network providers.

47. Thirty-three percent of firms say they are “very satisfied” with timely access to services in the health plans they offer.