Health insurance premiums for California workers mirrored national rates, growing 11.4 percent in 2004, significantly slower than 2003's 15.8 percent, but still the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases. Historically, premiums in California have been lower than national premiums, but over the past several years they have steadily approached the U.S. average. HMOs remained the least expensive type of health plan, costing nearly 30 percent less for single coverage than PPO plans. About 50 percent of California workers were enrolled in HMOs in 2004, compared to 25 percent nationally. However, health plan enrollment in California has shifted somewhat to PPOs over the past year. PPOs increased their market share from 29 percent in 2003 to 36 percent in 2004, according to the survey. The California Employer Health Benefits Survey of is an independent survey based on the national employer survey conducted annually by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) and HRET. Between 2000 and 2003, KFF conducted surveys in both California and the nation as a whole. Beginning this year, the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) assumed sponsorship from KFF of the California survey, which is separate from and not included in the national survey.

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Press Release
California Employer Health Benefits Survey 2004