Alaska Ranks Highest in Cost Per Employee Health Care Coverage

October 6, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – According to a recent survey by United Benefit Advisors (UBA), Alaska has the highest average annual cost (AAC) per employee for employer-sponsored health plan coverage, at $11,926.

The survey, titled UBA 2011 Health Plan Survey lists the most expensive and most affordable states for employer-sponsored health plan coverage. After Alaska, the top five highest AAC per employee states included New York, at $11,308 AAC; Massachusetts, $11,004; Connecticut, $11,000; and New Jersey, $10,642.

Mississippi has the lowest ACC out of the five least expensive states at $6,282. The lowest five states also included Arkansas, $6,741; Kentucky, $6,801; Idaho, $7,029; and Arizona, $7,119.

“These are important benchmarks for employers looking to expand into various states and the potential impact on overall human resource costs. This may also have a bearing on the various future policies states adopt in responding to health care reform in their local market,” said Bill Stafford, UBA Vice President, Member Services, in a press release.

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