Health Benefits In 2022: Premiums Remain Steady, Many Employers Report Limited Provider Networks For Behavioral...

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• Health Services Research
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Rising healthcare costs and access to mental health services are significant public health concerns.
• Employer-sponsored health insurance is a primary source of coverage for many individuals.
• Understanding trends in premiums, deductibles, and provider network breadth is crucial for policy and consumer guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the 2022 trends in average annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health insurance.
• To report on worker contributions towards single and family coverage.
• To examine the average annual deductibles for health plans and assess employer perceptions of mental health and substance use disorder provider network breadth and sufficiency.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of survey data from a representative sample of employers regarding health insurance offerings and costs.
• Reporting of average annual premium costs for family coverage.
• Presentation of data on worker contributions, average deductibles for single coverage, and employer-reported network adequacy for mental health services.

Main Results:

• The average annual premium for family health coverage was $22,463 in 2022, a slight increase from $22,221 in 2021.
• Average worker contributions were $1,327 for single and $6,106 for family coverage.
• Nearly half of large employers noted increased employee use of mental health services; however, employers perceived narrower networks and fewer behavioral health providers compared to primary care providers, potentially impacting timely access.

Conclusions:

• Health insurance premiums remained relatively stable in 2022, but increased utilization of mental health services highlights potential access challenges.
• Employer perceptions suggest a gap in the breadth and sufficiency of mental health provider networks compared to overall provider networks.
• Further investigation is needed to address potential disparities in access to behavioral health services within employer-sponsored health plans.