Average per-worker cost of health benefits rose by 5.2% in 2023: survey

Healthcare DIVE November 22, 2023
Emily Olsen

Inflation is a contributor to the increase, but rising prescription drug costs are likely to have a longer-term impact, according to the Mercer report.

Dive Brief:

• The average per worker cost of employer-sponsored health insurance rose by 5.2% this year, reaching more than $15,700, according to a survey by consulting firm Mercer.
• Smaller businesses face even sharper cost hikes. On average, costs rose 7.8% for employers with 50 to 499 employees. And the average per-employee cost was $16,464 for those smaller companies, compared with $15,640 from workplaces with 500 or more employees.
• Inflation is a contributing factor to rising prices, but prescription drug spending spiked 8.4% in 2023, according to the survey. New developments in the pharmaceutical market...

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