According to a research, the premiums for employer-given health insurance have raised in 2011.  Employers are rapidly shifting the asking price of health insurance onto employees over the last 10 years.

As per the study, that says, the average premium for family-unit coverage from employer’s side has been increased by 9 per cent in comparison to last years’ premium rates.  It is to be seen that whether this is a onetime hike or an era of higher-increases has started.

The raise in premium rates occurred at a time when the nation is going through economic slowdown and the unemployment rate is over 9 per cent.  So mostly employers are opting the policy of not to hire.  Paying the premium is becoming unaffordable day by day and it has doubled since 2001.

President Obama’s rules and laws are affecting insurance rates, is a debatable issue.  Also some analysts are saying that insurers have increased the prices expecting a rise of up to 10 per cent in 2012.  And this could justify the move of insurance companies.

Some provisions in the law are inducing insurers to raise the rates.  For example coverage for adults’ right up to the age of 26 years and protective measures like mammogram etc.

According to the survey, the small and big conglomerates that are providing facilities of coverage, contributes to around 60 per cent of all insured Americans.

This year, big health insurers have defended the rate of higher premiums and higher profits mentioning that their expenditure would rise once the economy comes back on the track.  And the moment economy recovers people would be in a position to afford health care packages.

People are paying large share of their medical bills by higher deductibles and co-payments.  Also the demand for health care seems to be relatively slow.  According to the insurers, the prices for medical care would continue to rise, as medicine manufacturers and hospitals also charge more.

Employers reportedly are saying that their employees are making less use of their medical care packages.