Deductibles march higher for employer-provided health insurance

Good news!

"Employers are dramatically shifting healthcare costs onto workers, so much so that the average annual deductible for an individual surpassed $1,000 for the first time this year, according to a new study.

Millions of workers -- whether employed by small, medium or large companies -- must now pay an average of $1,001 out of their own pockets before their health insurance coverage begins paying a share of the expenses. That's up 17% from $859 last year."

Unfortunately, the amount is likely not enough to motivate people to better care for themselves, and their children.

"Employers say workers are having to pay more because healthcare coverage is more expensive, up 6.3% to an average of $8,482 per worker this year, according to Mercer. (In Los Angeles, costs rose 5.4% to $7,958 per worker for medical, dental and vision coverage.) To offset steep premium increases, companies are opting for higher deductibles."

You pay the deductible before your insurance payments kick-in after you enter the sick care system.

But, if you lessen the probability of entering the sick care system, say by getting fitter and avoiding diseases of choice, you can possibly save paying the deductible.

"Baker said employers were bracing for potentially bigger increases next year."

The good news just keeps on coming.

Now for increases in co-pays which will do an even better job of motivating people to take care of themselves and their children, I predict.