Health insurance premiums increased a seemingly reasonable five percent this year, however it is for coverage that’s getting less and less comprehensive, researchers state. Overall, premiums for family coverage have increased to $12,680 and premiums for single coverage have increased to $4,704. These figures coming from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust. Employers are paying about three-quarters of that cost on average.

Over the past ten years, insurance premiums have grown much more rapidly than wages and inflation. Such was not the case this year. In an effort to slow the rising costs of health insurance, companies are more often providing coverage that requires their workers to pay more of their medical expenses before the insurance will take effect. Do you think there is a better solution?