DOW JONES NEWSWIRES A new study shows that half of all individual health insurance policyholders paid less than $130 a month for coverage, according to eHealth Inc. (EHTH), parent company of eHealthInsurance.
The findings come as more people could be subject to paying their own insurance due to layoffs or companies cutting back on benefits in the current economic downturn. As such, Americans are seeking cost-effective health insurance and eHealth Chief Executive Gary Lauer said it is available.
The study analyzed 227,000 major individual and family medical policies purchased through eHealthInsurance, an online retailer of health insurance, and active in August 2007.
The average monthly premium for individual policies was $158, with a deductible of $1,972. Families had an average premium of $366 and deductible of $2,610.
Insurance costs and availability were a major point of debate in the recent presidential elections, since most private health care plans, purchased by the self-employed and others whose employers don't offer health benefits, are more expensive than health insurance provided by corporate employers. Many companies have also transferred more of the premiums to employees as they fight to cut costs amid the economic downturn.
About 46 million people in the U.S. are estimated to be currently without health insurance.
The eHealth study showed that, on average, women are paying 18% more than men for individual health insurance premiums. Premiums varied widely across regions, from an average of $83 a month for North Dakota residents to $388 for New York residents. The Northeast had the highest average monthly premium for individuals, at $239, while the Midwest had the lowest, at $130.
In 2007, 60% of children's plans had premiums of $100 or less, according to the study.
-By Kerry E. Grace, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-5089; kerry.grace@dowjones.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 12, 2008 09:04 ET (14:04 GMT)

Publié le 12 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones