Missouri Third In Nation in Small Business Health Insurance Costs
Six of the top 10 states with the lowest average cost for total family premium per enrolled employee, private sector, less than 10 employees, were Midwestern, according to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. The survey is a nationwide examination of medical care usage conducted by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The latest survey was 2003.
The survey found Montana, at $6,388 per employee, to be lowest; Iowa, at $7,111, second lowest; and Missouri, at $7,639, third lowest. South Dakota, Alabama, North Dakota, Oregon, Georgia, Kansas and Minnesota round out the top 10.
Only one Northeastern state (Vermont) made the top 20. The District of Columbia was worst, at well over $11,000. The national average for premiums in firms of this size was $9,340.
Here are the top ten states with the lowest average family premiums, less than 10 employees, in 2003:
In businesses with more than ten employees, Missouri did not fare quite as well. Missouri's best ranking in four categories with firms over 10 employees was 16th, in firms with 100-999 employees.
Average Family Insurance
Premiums in
the Private Sector, Missouri, 2003
Approximately 33.6 percent of private businesses in Missouri with fewer than 10 employees offer health insurance compared to 35.6 percent nationwide.
Private Sector Establishments
that
Offer Health Insurance by Firm Size, 2003
Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
