Companies are predicting an increase of as much as 9 percentage, on ordinary, but are usually avoiding passing on much of that to their employees, business groups say. Weight-loss medication. Cutting-edge protein treatment. In vitro fertilization. All are life-changing, but expensive, health options that are helping to drive up heath care expenses next year for businesses and their staff. Numerous organizations are now beginning the yearly open enrollment period for health benefits. Companies anticipate a cost increase of up to 9 % on average in 2025, following years of modest increases, according to surveys conducted by business organizations and gain consulting firms. However, it’s unlikely that employees will get asked to bear all of them. In recent years, employers have assumed much of the price increases, perhaps because of a small job market, said KFF, a volunteer health research team. Additionally, businesses may take action to reduce their costs. KFF discovered that while employers have seen the total annual cost of family coverage premiums increase by 24 percent over the past five years, the amount that employees pay has increased by 5 percent, or on average, less than$ 300. Workers contribute about a quarter of the average$ 25, 572 annual family premium, or about$ 6, 300. About 154 million Americans rely on their businesses for heath coverage, according to KFF. Aon, a company service company, found that while businesses ‘ health plan costs rose 6.4 percent from 2023 to 2024, people paid 3.4 percent more in prices. Debbie Ashford, the North America chief actuary for health solutions at Aon,” We anticipate something similar will happen in 2025 as well.” Still such increases can be significant for some workers, especially as families have dealt with higher prices for groceries, cars, and home and auto insurance. ” Affordability is a very big concern”, said Jim Winkler, the chief strategy officer at the Business Group on Health, an advocacy group for large employers. Over the past few years, employers have kept a lid on it. We are having trouble locating the article’s source. In your browser’s settings, please enable JavaScript. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.