Survey: Massachusetts Employers, Employees Paying Most for Health ...(n emphasis on small-to mid-sized employe...),Health

The 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey consists of 11,723 employers throughout the nation who combined extend health benefits to nearly 4.5 million employees and family members.

"Our survey is the nation's largest comprehensive benchmark survey of health plan design and costs," Stafford said. "The survey reveals critical statistics about hundreds of health plan factors, including enrollment specifics, plan design and cost and employee premium cost-sharing options, including consumer-driven health plans. Results also yield important statistics about prescription drug plans, retirement benefits and flexible spending accounts."

Nationwide, based on 16,485 health plans included in the 2007 survey, the average annual total cost per employee, which includes both employer and employee contributions, was $6,881.

According to UBA's survey, the five states that had the highest average total annual cost per employee in 2007 were (2006 survey results are included for comparison):

2007 2006

Massachusetts $9,304 Massachusetts $8,631

Connecticut $8,865 Connecticut $8,457

New Jersey $8,758 New Jersey $8,437

New Hampshire $8,601 Michigan $7,916

Michigan $8,520 Rhode Island $7,725

According to the 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey, the five states that had the lowest average annual total cost per employee were (2006 survey results are included for comparison):

2007 2006

Arkansas $5,169 Mississippi
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