Fact Check: "The average cost of employee health care can exceed $1,700 per person per month."
What We Know
The claim that "the average cost of employee health care can exceed $1,700 per person per month" is not supported by current data. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost for employer-sponsored health care coverage in the U.S. is significantly lower than this figure. Specifically, the average annual cost for employer-sponsored health insurance is projected to be around $16,000 per employee by 2025, which translates to approximately $1,333 per month. This average includes both employer and employee contributions.
Furthermore, a report from Aon indicates that the average health insurance cost for employers is expected to reach over $15,000 per employee, which again averages out to around $1,250 per month (source-6).
Additionally, a more recent analysis from NPABenefits shows that the average monthly health insurance cost through an employer is approximately $132 for single coverage and $625 for family coverage (source-8). These figures further confirm that the average monthly cost does not approach the $1,700 mark.
Analysis
The claim appears to be based on a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of health care costs. The sources reviewed provide a clear picture of the average costs associated with employer-sponsored health care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and Aon (source-6) are both reputable sources, providing data derived from extensive surveys and analyses of employer compensation costs.
The data from NPABenefits (source-8) also corroborates the lower average costs, indicating that the claim of exceeding $1,700 per month is inaccurate. The averages reported are consistent across multiple credible sources, suggesting that there is a strong consensus on the actual costs of employee health care.
The claim may stem from confusion regarding total costs that include various health care benefits or from anecdotal evidence that does not reflect the broader average across all employers. However, the data consistently shows that the average costs are well below the claimed figure.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The assertion that the average cost of employee health care can exceed $1,700 per person per month is not supported by current data. The average monthly costs for employer-sponsored health care are significantly lower, averaging around $1,250 to $1,333, based on reliable sources. This discrepancy indicates that the claim is misleading and not reflective of the actual costs faced by employers and employees.
