Employers Pass More Health Costs to Employees: Milliman

Some observers say the U.S. labor market is heating up, but it’s still cool enough that the typical employer can pass big health benefits cost increases on to employees.

Average total spending on group health benefits provided through a preferred provider organization plan has increased 4.5% this year, to $28,166 for a family of four, according to analysts at Milliman Inc.

(Related: Employee Health Care Costs Rise 4.3%: Milliman)

The average employer is letting its own spending on that health benefits package increase just 3.2%, to $15,788.