AHRQ Stats: Private Versus Public Employee Insurance Costs

On average, private-sector employees paid a larger share of health insurance premiums ($1,170 for singles, $4,421 for families) than public-sector employees ($722 for singles, $3,155 for families) in 2013. However, total annual health insurance premiums were lower for private-sector employees ($5,571 for singles, $16,029 for families) than public-sector employees ($6,611 for singles, $17,270 for families). (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Statistical Brief #474: Premiums and Employee Contributions for Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: Private versus Private Sector, 2013.)

STATISTICAL BRIEF #474:
Premiums and Employee Contributions for Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: Private versus Public Sector, 2013

June 2015

Karen E. Davis, MA

Highlights

In 2013, the average public (State/local governments) sector premiums for single, employee-plus-one, and family coverage were all higher than those for the private sector, with wide variations across geographic areas.
Across both the public and private sectors, the highest average health insurance premiums in 2013 were for public sector employees for single coverage in the Pacific census division ($7,769) and for family coverage in the New England division ($19,640).
Across both the public and private sectors, the lowest average health insurance premiums in 2013 for single coverage ($5,158) and family coverage ($14,659) were for private sector employees in the East South Central division.
On average, public sector employee contributions for family coverage were lower than those for the private sector in all census divisions with the exception of West South Central.