--- title: "Health Insurance Costs Rise for US Workers, Survey Finds" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/health-insurance-costs-rise-for-us-workers-survey-finds" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/health-insurance-costs-rise-for-us-workers-survey-finds" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/health-insurance-costs-rise-for-us-workers-survey-finds.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/health-insurance-costs-rise-for-us-workers-survey-finds" category: "Health" area: "United States" published: "2026-10-22T16:05:55.157Z" source_reported: "2026-10-22T15:43:22.868Z" updated: "2026-10-22T16:05:55.157Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 45 hype_score: 21 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-22T17:15:12.833199+00:00" --- # Health Insurance Costs Rise for US Workers, Survey Finds *Employer-sponsored plans and deductibles have increased, with small business employees seeing the largest jumps.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. All 10 digests cite KFF as the source for the survey data. - Craft 45 of 100, higher is better. The digests provide a basic summary of the survey findings without additional context or analysis. - Hype 21 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use phrases like 'keep climbing' and 'continue rising' but the body is factual. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - The cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans has increased this year, as has the average deductible, according to a KFF survey. - Individual health insurance plans now cost an average of $9,804 annually. - Workers at small businesses are experiencing the most significant rises in health insurance expenses. - No right-rated outlets reported on this story. The cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans has risen again this year, according to a survey by the nonpartisan health organization KFF. Deductibles, the amount individuals must pay before their insurance covers most costs, have also increased. The average annual cost for individual health insurance plans reached $9,804. Employees at small businesses are facing the steepest increases in their health insurance expenses. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated outlets reported on this story. ## Who covered it Shares of the 44 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 57% (25) - Centre: 43% (19) - Right: 0% (0) 3 of 47 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-22T17:15:12.833199+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-22T18:00:11.774Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Nine left-rated digests reported that employer-sponsored health insurance plan prices and deductibles have increased. They noted the average cost of individual plans at $9,804 and highlighted that workers at small businesses are facing the steepest increases. The digests attributed these findings to a KFF survey released on a Thursday. ### Centre - The single centre-rated digest stated that a new KFF survey found Americans with employer-sponsored health insurance are paying more for coverage in 2026. It specifically mentioned that workers at small businesses are facing the steepest increases. ### Right No separate framing summary. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 23 - unknown: 3 - veryHigh: 21 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/190c80af9f250178) — Employers Shift Rising Health Care Costs Onto Millions of Workers - [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/10/22/n14874871.htm) — Rising Medical Insurance Premiums and Increased Out-of-Pocket Expenses Place a Heavier Burden on Businesses and Employees. - [westvirginiawatch.com](https://westvirginiawatch.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds • West Virginia Watch - [Ohio Capital Journal](https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [mainemorningstar.com](https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds • Maine Morning Star - [Source New Mexico](https://sourcenm.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [Daily Montanan](https://dailymontanan.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [Florida Phoenix](https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [Kansas Reflector](https://kansasreflector.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [Wisconsin Examiner](https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [Orlando Sentinel](https://orlandosentinel.com/2026/10/22/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds-2) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/10/22/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds-2) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [South Dakota Searchlight](https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [naked capitalism](https://nakedcapitalism.com/2026/10/job-based-health-plan-costs-rise-with-little-relief-in-sight.html) — Job-Based Health Plan Costs Rise, With Little Relief in Sight - [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [Georgia Recorder](https://georgiarecorder.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [WBRZ](https://wbrz.com/news/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/11242062/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds.html) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [New Hampshire Bulletin](https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [KESQ](https://kesq.com/kunamundo/noticias-cnn/cnn-spanish/2026/10/22/obtener-un-seguro-medico-a-traves-del-trabajo-sera-mucho-mas-caro-en-ee-uu-en-2027) — Getting Health Insurance Through Work Will Be Much More Expensive in the U.S. in 2027 - [KEYT](https://keyt.com/latino/cnn-spanish/2026/10/22/obtener-un-seguro-medico-a-traves-del-trabajo-sera-mucho-mas-caro-en-ee-uu-en-2027) — Getting Health Insurance Through Work Will Be Much More Expensive in the U.S. in 2027 - [KIFI](https://localnews8.com/cnn-spanish/2026/10/22/obtener-un-seguro-medico-a-traves-del-trabajo-sera-mucho-mas-caro-en-ee-uu-en-2027) — Getting Health Insurance Through Work Will Be Much More Expensive in the U.S. in 2027 - [KMIZ](https://abc17news.com/cnn-spanish/2026/10/22/obtener-un-seguro-medico-a-traves-del-trabajo-sera-mucho-mas-caro-en-ee-uu-en-2027) — Getting Health Insurance Through Work Will Be Much More Expensive in the U.S. in 2027 - [KRDO](https://krdo.com/telemundo/telemundo-sur-colorado/cnn-spanish/2026/10/22/obtener-un-seguro-medico-a-traves-del-trabajo-sera-mucho-mas-caro-en-ee-uu-en-2027) — Getting Health Insurance Through Work Will Be Much More Expensive in the U.S. in 2027 - [KVIA](https://kvia.com/news/noticias/cnn-spanish/2026/10/22/obtener-un-seguro-medico-a-traves-del-trabajo-sera-mucho-mas-caro-en-ee-uu-en-2027) — Getting Health Insurance Through Work Will Be Much More Expensive in the U.S. in 2027 - [kioncentralcoast.com](https://kioncentralcoast.com/t23/noticias-cnn/cnn-spanish/2026/10/22/obtener-un-seguro-medico-a-traves-del-trabajo-sera-mucho-mas-caro-en-ee-uu-en-2027) — Getting Health Insurance Through Work Will Be Much More Expensive in the U.S. in 2027 - [Iowa Capital Dispatch](https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [New Jersey Monitor](https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-health-insurance-rises) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [arkansasadvocate.com](https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [Chicago Tribune](https://chicagotribune.com/2026/10/22/health-insurance-costs-american-workers-survey) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds – WTOP News - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new surve - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/healthcare-insurance-employer-small-business-kff-survey-cfe1ad2eff54d88af04d0cc49bfd72f9) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/people-donald-trump-american-washington-americans-b3071413.html) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [KOB 4](https://kob.com/ap-top-news/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [KXL](https://kxl.com/health-insurance-costs-keep-climbing-for-american-workers-a-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs keep climbing for American workers, a new survey finds - [LiveNOW from FOX](https://livenowfox.com/news/health-insurance-costs-continue-rising-american-workers-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs continue rising for American workers, new survey finds - [Fox 10 Phoenix](https://fox10phoenix.com/news/health-insurance-costs-continue-rising-american-workers-new-survey-finds) — Health insurance costs continue rising for American workers, new survey finds - [Michigan Advance](https://michiganadvance.com/2026/10/22/repub/cost-of-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-plans-rises-again-nonpartisan-survey-finds) — Cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans rises again, nonpartisan survey finds - [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/money/personal-finance/healthcare/2026/10/22/family-health-insurance-costs-soar-workers/92361328007) — Family health insurance costs soar for workers, KFF survey - [KFF Health News](https://kffhealthnews.org/insurance/kff-survey-employer-based-health-plan-costs-rise-2026-2027) — Job-Based Health Plan Costs Rise, With Little Relief in Sight - [STAT](https://statnews.com/2026/10/22/kff-2026-benefits-survey-9-percent-premium-increase) — Workers are paying 9% more for family health coverage this year, a higher jump than in the recent past - [Georgia Public Broadcasting](https://gpb.org/news/2026/10/22/high-health-costs-squeeze-workers-even-if-you-have-good-insurance-through-job) — High health costs squeeze workers, even if you have good insurance through a job - [KPBS](https://kpbs.org/news/health/2026/10/22/high-health-costs-squeeze-workers-even-if-you-have-good-insurance-through-a-job) — High health costs squeeze workers, even if you have good insurance through a job - [Maine Public](https://mainepublic.org/npr-news/2026-10-22/high-health-costs-squeeze-workers-even-if-you-have-good-insurance-through-a-job) — High health costs squeeze workers, even if you have good insurance through a job - [npr](https://npr.org/2026/10/22/nx-s1-6008153/health-insurance-costs-kff-commonwealth) — High health costs squeeze workers, even if you have good insurance through a job ## Questions **What has happened to the cost of employer-sponsored health insurance?** According to a KFF survey, the cost of employer-sponsored health insurance plans has increased this year. Deductibles, which are the amounts individuals pay before insurance covers most costs, have also gone up. **What is the average cost of an individual health insurance plan?** The average annual cost for individual health insurance plans has risen to $9,804. This figure represents the average amount individuals pay for their health coverage. **Which workers are seeing the biggest increases in health insurance costs?** Workers at small businesses are experiencing the steepest increases in their health insurance costs. This indicates a disproportionate rise in expenses for employees of smaller companies. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/health-insurance-costs-rise-for-us-workers-survey-finds. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Health Insurance Costs Rise for US Workers, Survey Finds", https://mediabias.news/health/health-insurance-costs-rise-for-us-workers-survey-finds