Blog: Is slide in employer-sponsored insurance over?

More than three years out from the end of the Great Recession, the economy's weak and fitful recovery has continued to deliver disappointing job growth. Hospitals have reported fewer patients and more uninsured since the recession, which stripped some households of health insurance as the economy shed jobs.

But here's some news that may be welcomed by hospitals. Newly released Census Bureau figures show that an erosion in employer-sponsored insurance, which accelerated during the downturn, halted in 2011.

Unsurprisingly, the percentage of people with health insurance through an employer dropped sharply in 2009 (56.1% from 58.9% the prior year) and continued to slide in 2010 to 55.3%. But last year's 55.1% was not a significant difference from the year before, the Census Bureau said. You can read more on the Census Bureau figures in this week's Modern Healthcare.

Meanwhile, households may have seen premium growth rates cool somewhat this year.

Premium growth slumped this year to rates seen during the recession (3% to 5%), according to survey results from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust.

At 3% and 4% for single and family coverage, respectively, this year's premium growth is below the 8% average since 1999 and the 8% to 9% increases of 2011.

The average premium for single coverage in 2012 totaled $5,615. For families the average was $15,745.

Unlike recent years, workers did not shoulder a greater share of the premium increases. The dollar amount and percentage of premiums paid by households held steady, the report said.

What do you think of the Census Bureau's figures and their impact on your organization? Drop me a line at mevans@modernhealthcare.com.

You can follow Melanie Evans on Twitter: @MHmevans.