Employer health insurance premiums rose across all states from 2023 to 2024, outpacing inflation. Major insurers show incomplete compliance with federal price transparency rules, complicating employers' cost management efforts.

Rice University research shows employer health insurance premiums have increased 342% since 1999, driven by rising hospital prices and consolidation, without quality improvements.

Analysis finds employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have risen three times faster than worker wages since 1999, driven largely by hospital price inflation and impacting healthcare affordability and utilization patterns.

Rising health care expenses in employer-sponsored insurance significantly drive U.S. inflation. Federal transparency efforts and policy reforms target cost control and market competition.

Connecticut has seen the largest decline in small business health insurance coverage since 2009, driven by rising healthcare costs and insurer market exits. Learn key trends affecting Northeast states and market implications.