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The average cost for family coverage in New York \u2013 at $29,752 \u2013 was second only to Alaska at $30,132.<\/p>\n
These findings come from a survey that covers health benefits offered by private-sector employers. The agency\u2019s separate survey of public-sector health benefits is broken down by census region rather than state.<\/p>\n
New York\u2019s premiums partly reflect the state\u2019s high cost of medical care, which in turn is driven by its high cost of living, especially in the New York City region.<\/p>\n
State policy also plays a role in increasing the cost of health benefits. In particular, the state levies unusually heavy taxes on health insurance<\/a> which, according to industry officials, add 7 percent to 14 percent<\/a> to premiums.<\/p>\n The state also imposes a growing list of coverage mandates \u2013 laws requiring insurers to pay for certain services regardless of whether plans consider them to be medically necessary, or to limit or eliminate cost-sharing for certain types of claims.<\/p>\n A 2003 study<\/a> commissioned by the Employer Alliance for Affordable Health Care estimated that mandates in force at the time added 12.2 percent to the cost of insurance \u2013 and the Legislature has enacted dozens more since then.<\/p>\n This year, for example, Albany lawmakers extended a tax on managed care organizations<\/a>, or MCOs, that had been expected to lapse. It adds about another one-half of 1 percent to commercial premiums, or roughly $50 per insured person.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, lawmakers also enacted additional mandates, including requirements that insurers cover lactation consultant services<\/a> for new mothers and speech therapy for stuttering<\/a>. Both bills are awaiting a decision by Governor Hochul to sign or veto.<\/p>\n \n \tAbout the Author\n \t<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t
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