Typical non-group health insurance policyholders have seen premium increases average about 20% this year, researchers say.
Consumers in the individual and family health coverage market also are getting coverage with higher deductibles than they would get if they had employer-sponsored coverage, the researchers say.
The researchers announced those findings today during a press conference organized by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Menlo Park, Calif.
The researchers reported on results of a survey of 1,038 U.S. residents ages 18 to 64 who have bought their own health coverage. The survey was conducted between March 19 and April 2.
The researchers looked at topics such as the cost of coverage, policyholders' out-of-pocket costs, and policyholders' responses to rate increases.
Kaiser believes the survey is the first of its type that has been done, according to Drew Altman, Kaiser's president.
It is important "to get a more scientific picture of the individual market," Altman said.
About 14 million U.S. residents under age 65 have non-group commercial health coverage, Kaiser estimates.
