Workers are paying 9% more for family health coverage this year, a higher jump than in the recent past
A KFF survey found the average worker contribution for family coverage rose to $7,471 in 2026.
TL;DR
- Workers’ average contribution toward employer family health coverage reached $7,471 in 2026, up 9% from 2025, according to KFF survey findings reported by STAT and Axios.
- The annual survey covered more than 1,900 employers and found employers are responding with measures such as onsite clinics and direct negotiations with health systems.
- The reported increase describes employer-sponsored coverage and does not represent every worker’s premium or other forms of insurance.
Workers paid an average of $7,471 toward family health coverage through employers in 2026, a 9% increase from 2025, according to the annual KFF employer survey reported by STAT and Axios. The reported increase was larger than in the recent past. [1] [2]
KFF’s survey included more than 1,900 employers. STAT reported that the increase reflected higher family coverage costs for workers, while Axios described employers exploring ways to manage the expense. [1] [2]
Axios reported that some employers are establishing onsite clinics and negotiating directly with health systems. Those approaches were presented as employer responses to rising spending; the survey does not establish how broadly they are available or how much they reduce costs. [2]
The $7,471 figure is an average worker contribution for employer-sponsored family coverage, not a universal household bill. The reports do not imply that every employee faced the same increase or describe costs for individual-market, public or other coverage. [1] [2]
Why it matters
Employer health coverage is a major channel through which medical cost changes reach workers and businesses. The 9% figure signals a higher reported worker contribution in this survey, while its employer-sponsored scope limits how far it can be generalized to all insured households.
Editor's note
Added in the 19:00 KST same-date merge. Figures are attributed to KFF’s employer survey as reported by STAT and Axios; no health or insurance advice is offered.