Costs just jumped
Average monthly marketplace premium payment rose 58% in 2026 ($113 → $178)
KFF, May 2026Research library
Healthcare cost statistics
A source-linked collection of figures behind the healthcare affordability challenges facing individuals, families, and employers.
For Individuals and Families
The financial reality of choosing and using coverage
Plans now cover less
Average marketplace deductible rose $1,027 to a record $3,786 in 2026
KFF, May 2026And they're rising again
Insurers propose a median ~15% marketplace premium increase for 2027
KFF, 2027 rate filingsMore people now qualify for an HSA
Bronze plan selections rose from 30% to 40% of marketplace enrollees in 2026
KFF, May 2026New way to save tax-free
Bronze and catastrophic marketplace plans are HSA-eligible starting 2026
IRS, Notice 2026-05People open HSAs but don't use them
36% of non-employer HSAs held a zero or negative balance at year-end 2025
Devenir, 2025 year-endMost people pick the wrong plan
People pay $2–$4 in extra premium to cut $1 of expected out-of-pocket cost; overspending averaged about a quarter of annual premiums
Boston College Center for Retirement Research, Bhargava, Loewenstein & SydnorMost adults can't parse what they're shown
Only 12% of U.S. adults have proficient health literacy; nearly 9 in 10 struggle to understand health information
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Assessment of Adult LiteracyPlans are confusing
Only 14% of adults could answer four basic questions about deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket limits
Journal of Health Economics, Consumer insurance literacy studyMedication costs hurt
43% of adults didn't take medication as prescribed in the past year because of cost
KFF, March 2026 pollCost stops people getting care
36% of adults skipped or postponed needed care because of cost
KFF, May 2025 pollMost families aren't ready for a bad health year
37% of adults could not cover a $400 surprise expense with cash or equivalent; 45% lack 3 months of emergency savings
Federal Reserve, SHED 2025For Employers
The rising cost and changing shape of employer coverage
Costs are spiking
Employer health costs projected to rise 8.2% in 2027, the most since 2003 (11% without cost-cutting)
Marsh, September 2026Costs are spiking
Aon projects 9.5% for 2027, above $19,000 per employee
Aon, August 2026Small-business renewals are spiking
Insurers proposed a median 14% premium increase for small-business (small-group) plans in 2027 (nearly 300 insurers, all 50 states + DC)
KFF, August 2026What a group plan costs
Average family premium about $27,000 in 2025 ($26,993, +6%); single $9,325
KFF, Employer Health Benefits Survey 2025Many small businesses can't offer coverage
Only 59% of small firms (10–199 workers) offer health benefits
KFF, Employer Health Benefits Survey 2025Why COBRA risk matters to most employers
67% of covered workers are in self-funded plans
KFF, Employer Health Benefits Survey 2025COBRA drives claims cost
COBRA enrollees' average spending was nearly 2x other large-group members ($11,695 vs. $6,144)
KFF, COBRA analysisCOBRA attracts the highest-cost members
38% of COBRA enrollees have multiple chronic conditions vs. 24% of active employees
KFF, COBRA analysisFigures reflect the cited research and publication dates. Proposed rates may change before taking effect. Costs, eligibility, plan availability, and savings vary by person, employer, location, and year.