The cost of employer-sponsored health insurance coverage is important to employees and business owners alike. But how much do employers pay for health insurance? That depends.

Employer-sponsored health insurance can vary depending on the plan you offer, where you operate your business, and more. 

Business owners want to ensure that they have a thorough understanding of the costs that they have to bear when offering health insurance coverage options. 

Employees want to know as much as they can about employer-sponsored health insurance coverage to determine whether they should take additional steps to obtain coverage. Sometimes, it can even factor into whether or not they take a job.

How much does employer health insurance cost?

Obviously, the type of plan, insurance company, employee census, business location, and many other factors will impact the price of health insurance from an employer. The eHealth survey of small business owners did uncover some interesting statistics about average premiums for employer health insurance when compared to individual or family medical plans:

• 82% of those offering health coverage pay $200 or more per employee per month.
• Only 14% of those not offering health coverage can afford $200 per month.
• Among those employers offering group health coverage, 90% say doing so helps them hire are retain the best workers.

These statistics underscore the role of employer-provided health insurance in making coverage more affordable for employees. The data reveal that 82% of employers who offer health coverage contribute $200 or more per employee each month, demonstrating a strong commitment to facilitating access to medical care. Additionally, 90% of these employers view health insurance as a key benefit for hiring and retaining workers, highlighting its value in promoting loyalty and enhancing the company’s reputation as a caring employer. Conversely, the limited affordability among businesses not offering health insurance, with only 14% able to afford $200 per month, indicates a significant barrier for smaller companies wanting to provide similar benefits. Employer health insurance may help retain employees because it’s a valuable benefit that can reflect well upon companies that offer it.

Cost of not offering health insurance as an employer

Only companies with at least 50 full-time employees and that qualify as an ALE, or applicable large employer, risk a penalty if they don’t offer qualified group health insurance.

The IRS defines an ALE in great detail. These are some examples of ALE qualification besides the minimum number of employees:

• The IRS bases qualification on the average employee census for each month of the previous year.
• An ALE has to pay a penalty if at least one employee gets a tax credit for their own individual insurance from the Marketplace.
• To keep from paying a penalty, the plan has to meet government standards for affordability and value.

Small business benefits of offering health insurance

If a small business owner employs fewer than 50 people, the IRS won’t penalize them. In fact, the government will even allow a small business with fewer than 25 full-time employees to take a small business tax credit for offering qualified employer health insurance.

Some other tax credit qualifications include:

• To qualify, the company’s average salary must not exceed $49,999.
• The business has to pay at least half of each employee’s premiums.
• The company has to offer health insurance to all full-time employees.

While small employers do need to pay at least half of the premiums to qualify, they can get some of this expense back with tax credits and possible deductions for business expenses. Businesses may enjoy other benefits that could include lower turnover, good will, and healthier employees.

Factors that affect the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage

Several key components will impact employer-sponsored health insurance costs in the following years. These factors are as follows:

• Adjusting for elevated inflation in healthcare
• The use of medical care services

Employers will likely have to account for a potential acceleration in inflation in medical care. The cost of goods and services has increased in other vital areas and currently affects other industries. The medical industry may also incur an elevated inflation rate due to higher input costs or other inflationary factors.

Business managers will also have to adjust for a potential elevation in the use of medical care offerings due to a possible lack of utilization during the pandemic.

Employers will have to think about the need to attract compelling talent to help grow their businesses and move them forward. But, again, well-being is quite likely a key factor for consideration when employees and their families choose their work environments.

Again, the rate of change in healthcare costs may accelerate as the prices of goods and services in other industries make their way into the healthcare system. The next component that affects the cost of employer-sponsored health coverage is the frequency of the use of medical care services. 

Employers may expect a gradual increase in mental health care utilization due to a growth in virtual mental wellness options. Business managers may also have to account for more utilization of clinical care services.

Where to shop for employer health insurance plans

Business owners can quickly search on eHealth to find local plans that may help them qualify for tax credits. The quick health plan quote box on eHealth also provides direct access to information about all kinds of health plans for businesses, families, and individuals. These resources can help businesses and consumers find plans to fit a variety of budgets and get the right information to make an informed decision.

This article is for general information and may not be updated after publication. Consult your own tax, accounting, or legal advisor instead of relying on this article as tax, accounting, or legal advice.