Key Takeaways
- Worker average monthly contribution for single coverage was $125 in 2023, up from $118 in 2022
- Employees contribute 17% ($1,401) annually to single coverage premiums on average in 2023
- For family coverage, average employee share is 29% ($6,575 yearly) in 2023
- Employer share of family premiums was 71% or $17,393 in 2023
- Large firms (200+ workers) contributed 86% to single premiums ($7,400 average) in 2023
- Total employer spending on health benefits reached $1.2 trillion in 2022 for 155 million covered lives
- In 2023, 53% of firms offering health insurance reported that their largest plan was a PPO, covering 82% of covered workers enrolled in those plans
- Among workers at small firms (3-199 workers), 65% of covered workers are enrolled in a PPO plan as of 2023, compared to 48% at large firms (200 or more workers)
- In 2023, 28% of covered workers were enrolled in HDHP/SOs with an average deductible of $2,017 for single coverage, up from 20% in 2014
- 86% of small firms (3-49 workers) offer health insurance in 2023, up from 69% in 2010
- 47% of firms with 3-9 workers offered coverage in 2023, compared to 95% for 5,000+ worker firms
- Offering rates among firms 50-199 workers reached 89% in 2023
- 91% of finance/insurance firms offer coverage, highest industry rate in 2023 KFF survey
- In education/health services, 82% of firms offer ESI, covering 15% of all covered workers in 2023
- Leisure/hospitality firms offer at 38% rate, lowest among industries in 2023
In 2023, workers paid more of health premiums, with families averaging $6,575 contributed.
Employee Contributions
Employee Contributions Interpretation
Employer Contributions
Employer Contributions Interpretation
Employer-Sponsored Insurance Coverage
Employer-Sponsored Insurance Coverage Interpretation
Firm Size and Offering Rates
Firm Size and Offering Rates Interpretation
Industry-Specific Statistics
Industry-Specific Statistics Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Health Insurance Employment Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/health-insurance-employment-statistics
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Health Insurance Employment Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/health-insurance-employment-statistics.
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Health Insurance Employment Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/health-insurance-employment-statistics.
Sources & References
- Reference 1KFFkff.org
kff.org
- Reference 2FILESfiles.kff.org
files.kff.org
- Reference 3CENSUScensus.gov
census.gov
- Reference 4HEALTHSYSTEMTRACKERhealthsystemtracker.org
healthsystemtracker.org
- Reference 5BLSbls.gov
bls.gov
- Reference 6MEPSmeps.ahrq.gov
meps.ahrq.gov







