Monthly Premium Costs of Single and Family Coverage

• In 2003, average monthly premiums for single and family coverage (including worker and employer share of premium) are $282 and $756 respectively (Exhibit 1.12). The cost of family coverage is now nearly $9,100 per year.
  
• • Average monthly premiums for PPO plans, which cover most Americans, are $292 for single coverage and $776 for family coverage. HMOs remain the lowest cost plan type at $263 per month for single coverage and $709 per month for family coverage.
    
  • The proportion of covered workers in firms that pay more than $250 per month for single coverage jumped from 46% in 2002 to 69% this year. In 2003, the proportion of covered workers in firms that pay more than $650 for family coverage rose to 77%, up from 52% in 2002 (Exhibit 1.13).
    
  • As in previous years, the cost of coverage tends to be lowest in the West where HMO penetration is highest (Exhibit 1.15). At the same time, cost increases were significantly higher in the West than in other regions.