View Larger HEALTH-CARE PREMIUMS

Read a summary of the 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey.

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Employers health-care premiums continued to grow modestly this year, with the cost of family coverage rising 3 percent, according to an annual study released yesterday.

But many workers particularly those making less money probably dont feel theyre getting much of a break.

Annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage averaged $16,834 this year, with workers picking up $4,823 of that tab, according to the survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust.

For worker-only coverage, the overall annual premium cost was $6,025, on average, with employees chipping in $1,081.

Foundation officials said the growth in premiums has slowed. The total increase over the past five years was 26 percent, compared with a total increase of 34 percent during the five years prior to that period.

Whats still unclear is the degree to which the slower rise in health-care costs is due to the recessions effects and to changes in the health-care system and the delivery of health care.

There is no question ... that we are seeing historic moderation in costs, including in premiums ... over a considerable period, said Drew Altman, president and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation, during a conference call with reporters.

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Survey: Employers health-care premiums continue to grow