CT insurance premiums up more than 30% from 2003 to 2009

An analysis by the Commonwealth Fund finds that single health insurance premiums in CT grew 34% and family coverage by 39% from 2003 through 2009. Interestingly, the rise in premiums was greater for employees of large firms than for workers in small firms, both in CT and nationally. CT family premiums were the 7th highest among states last year, but one of the lowest as a percentage of median income. Nationally premiums rose 41% and deductibles by 77% between 2003 and 2009. Without health reform, premiums would be expected to grow another 79% by 2020. If health reform slows the growth in health care spending by 1.5% (hopefully we can do much better), the average CT single policy will be $1,283 lower annually and $3,674 less for family coverage by 2020.
Ellen Andrews