Private Insurance

Health Care Affordability

BTD Health Policy in 2026

Health Policy in 2026

President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman forecasts eight things to look for in health policy in 2026. “First and foremost,” he writes, “is the role health care affordability will play in the midterms.” And, he notes: “The average cost of a family policy for employers could approach $30,000 and cost sharing and deductibles will rise again after plateauing for several years.”

View all of Drew’s Beyond the Data Columns

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  • Calculator: ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit

    Feature

    The ACA's enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. This calculator estimates how much out-of-pocket premium payments would increase for families without the enhanced credits. The projected premium increases are estimated based on family income, zip code, size, ages, and 2026 ACA Marketplace premiums.

  • 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey

    Report

    This annual survey of employers provides a detailed look at trends in employer-sponsored health coverage, including premiums, worker contributions, cost-sharing provisions, offer rates, and more. This year's report also looks at how employers are approaching coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, including their concerns about utilization and cost.

  • The Semi-Sad Prospects for Controlling Employer Health Care Costs

    From Drew Altman

    In a commentary on KFF’s 27th employer health benefits survey, President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman discusses the obstacles employers face trying to control their health care costs, and the reasons why they’ve never been meaningful supporters of government cost-containment efforts. He predicts that premium increases expected next year could lead to a new wave of higher deductibles and other forms of cost sharing for the 155 million Americans who rely on employer coverage. Read…

  • Premiums and Worker Contributions Among Workers Covered by Employer-Sponsored Coverage, 1999-2025

    Interactive

    Since 1999, the Employer Health Benefits Survey has documented trends in employer-sponsored health insurance. Every year, private and non-federal public employers with three or more employees complete the survey. Among other topics, the survey asks firms for the premium (or full per-person cost) of their health coverage, as well as worker contributions (amount of the premium that workers pay). The graphing tool below looks at changes in premiums and worker contributions over time for covered…

  • Annual Family Premiums for Employer Coverage Rise 6% in 2025, Nearing $27,000, with Workers Paying $6,850 Toward Premiums Out of Their Paychecks

    News Release

    Family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance reached an average of $26,993 this year, KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey of large and smaller employers finds. On average, workers contribute $6,850 annually to the cost of family coverage, with employers paying the rest. Family premiums are up 6%, or $1,408, from last year, similar to the 7% increase recorded in each of the previous two years. This year’s increase compares to general inflation of 2.7% and wage…

  • Examining Short-Term Limited-Duration Health Plans on the Eve of ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment

    Issue Brief

    As Marketplace Open Enrollment nears, policy changes could leave millions of people facing substantially higher premiums and coverage loss, which could lead more consumers to purchase less expensive and less comprehensive coverage through short-term health plans. KFF analyzes short-term health policies sold by nine large insurers in 36 states, examining premiums, cost sharing, covered benefits, and coverage limitations and comparing them to ACA Marketplace plans.

  • How Might Expiring Premium Tax Credits Impact People with HIV?

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief provides an overview of the potential impact not extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits could have on people with HIV and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Enhanced credits have improved insurance coverage affordability for millions of people, including those with HIV. People with HIV may be particularly vulnerable, given that they are more likely to have Marketplace plans and many also rely on the federally-funded Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to help cover…