Research

According to the August 2009 data, the average individual premium was $164 per month, the median premium was $134 per month and the average deductible was $2,477. The August 2009 data show that the average family premium was $388 per month, the median premium was $334 per month and the average deductible was $3,335. Fifty-three percent (53.8%) of the primary individual policy holders were men. The average age of an individual policy holder was 35.6 years old.

eHealth, Inc. commissioned this nationwide survey to better understand consumer behavior and expectations in the context of current health insurance reform legislation. This report summarizes findings of a telephone survey conducted among a random national sample of 1,003 adults 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. Interviewing for this survey was completed by Opinion Research Corporation during the period December 4 - 7, 2009. See the Methodology section of this report for additional information about the margin of error for this study and its applicability to the surveyed sample of adults.

According to the report, in 2009 the median non-group health insurance premium for an individual in the United States was $1,584 per year ($132 per month) and the average deductible was $2,326. Combined, annual premiums and deductibles account for approximately 7.7 percent of median household income for 2008 ($50,303) as reported by the US Census Bureau1.

Summary of Results and Observations