Virginians spend more on their health insurance than people in almost every other state

Nov. 21--The sums Virginians spend on health insurance through their employers are higher and have climbed faster than the national average, a new study shows -- even as employers pay a lower share here than in other states.

Typical out-of-pocket costs for employer-provided health insurance rose by 7.1% in Virginia over the past two years to reach $8,143, according to data compiled by The Commonwealth Fund, a century-old foundation that aims to improve health care in the United States. That's the sixth highest total in the nation.

The nation saw a 4.6% increase to $7,388.

Over the past decade, Virginians saw an 86.5% hike compared to the nation's 77.5%. That amounted to nearly 11% of the state's median household income, a bit less than the national average.

That hit has grown over the past decade, as the rise in out-of-pocket spending has outpaced growth in median income nationwide, said foundation president David Blumenthal.

"Employer health care is leaving millions of families exposed to high and potentially unaffordable costs," he said.

Meanwhile, the foundation's study found the premiums Virginia employers pay are slightly lower than the national average.

In Virginia, the cost of single coverage is $6,635, compared to a national average of $6,715, while the cost of family coverage at $19,152 in Virginia compares to $19,565 for the nation.

Virginia employees pay 26% of the cost of single coverage on average, or about $1,746, compared to the national average of 21%, or $1,427.

For family coverage, employees in Virginia pay 34% of the cost, or an average of $6,597 -- the highest cost in the nation. That compares to the national average employee contribution of 28%, or $5,431.

Virginia deductibles also grew faster than the nation's, up 7.6% for both single and family coverage to $2,755. The nation saw a 4.6% increase to $2,992.

Blumenthal said provider charges are driving the general rise in employees' health coverage costs, but that state-by-state variations likely reflect differences in labor markets -- essentially, how much employers believe they have to offer in benefits to hire the workers they need.

Dave Ress, 757-247-4535, dress@dailypress.com

Increase in employees' share of health care premiums over the past decade.

-- Family coverage: Virginia 71.2% -- National: 60%

-- Single coverage: Virginia 76.7% -- National: 61.7%

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