New data show more employees in high deductible plans; rate varies considerably by state

Analysis of new federal data by SHADAC finds that almost half (43 percent) of people covered by employer-sponsored health plans were in high-deductible plans last year, up from 30 percent from 2013. For purposes of this study, high-deductible plans are defined as meeting the minimum deductible amount required for Health Savings Account eligibility ($1,300 for an individual and $2,600 for a family in 2016). But that rate varies considerably among states. Within the ERC region and among all states, last year New Hampshire had the highest last percentage (59.3 percent) of employees in high deductible plans.

The survey found little change in the percentage of employers offering coverage from 2015 to 2016. Premium growth was offset by the 10.1 percent ($155) growth in average deductibles. Four of the five most expensive states for single coverage premiums were in the ERC region last year: Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York.