Those with health insurance through your job - what percentage of your paycheck is deducted?

[Hugabear]

Back when I had a job that offered health benefits, it cost me almost 15% of my gross weekly pay, and that was just coverage for myself and my wife (we have no kids).

The reason I ask is that health insurance is EXPENSIVE, even if you get it through your employer. It boggles my mind when conservatives rail against health reform, arguing that they don't want to pay any new taxes.

I have a hunch that if we were to eliminate ALL health insurance, institute a single payer system, and increase taxes by a modest amount (ie 5-15%, depending on income level), we could make it work. For those of us who are already paying for insurance through work, we really wouldn't notice a discernible difference in our net pay, and in fact we might actually wind up with MORE take-home pay.

[Esurientes]

1. Only 0.5%

However, if I had added my two children (back when they were dependents) it would have been 25%!

[kiva]

2. Less than 1%, that's for just myself.

That said, I would be perfectly happy to pay more for single payer that would provide health care (NOT insurance) to all. Partially because I do believe that it is our responsibility as citizens to provide all Americans with health care, but more selfishly single payer would provide all workers with the flexibility to change jobs without worrying about losing their insurance - which may be the biggest selling point, IMO.

[TexYellowDogDem]

3. 3% (no dependants)

[paulsby]

4. zero percent

which is a nice beneft

[Statistical]

5. less than <1% however we contribute about about ~4% into HSA to pay for deductibles, copays, etc.

Even still I would gadly pay roughly double that (say +10%) in higher taxes to get single payer.

[Raejeanowl]

6. Don't Get Me Started

We're insured through my husband's small group employer, which recently switched over from a standard PPO-type plan through CareFirst, to an Aetna HSA-compatible plan because the premiums, which had already been pushing 25% of his gross wages, were about to go totally through the roof. We elected a plan that monetarily held that line, as bad as it already was!

So yes, 15% sounds absolutely heavenly.

[elifino]

7. 3.3% in total

I am 71 on SS and work part time, Medicare A&B is primary and my company insurance is secondary. The company I work for provides a clinic, staffed by 2 doctors complete with a pharmacy. Co-pay is $15.00 for doctor visit and $15.00 on drugs.

Even if I did not work part time, the insurance would cover me as a retired employee.

[The Gunslinger]

8. 15%

I don't make a lot so It's a good chunk of my pay. It used to be prorated for what you make, but it was hurting the wealthy, so the pain was given back to the peons.

[Edweird]

9. Next to nothing. I would be happy to pay more in taxes for SINGLE PAYER - but not

for insurance. Fuck the insurance companies.

[Bonhomme Richard]

10. Zero % n/t

[Blue_In_AK]

11. My husband is no longer working,

but 1/4 of his pension check (MEBA) is withheld for our health insurance. We also have a 20% co-pay if we use preferred providers or 40% if not.

[El Supremo]

12. Only $1 semi-monthly

But I'm sure that my paycheck would be bigger if the company didn't have to pay so much.

[tammywammy]

13. 2% for all insurance (health, dental, vision, term-life, disability)

4% if you include was I set aside in my FSA.

[doc03]

14. I pay nothing out of paycheck, we have a $15 co-pay for Doctors

$40 co-pay for ER. I pay 10% of all bills up to a yearly maximum of $1000. I think my company pays around $5-6000 a year for me, I am single no dependants it also includes some dental, vision and drug coverage.

[notadmblnd]

15. My dead husband's employer provides my insurance benefits

it costs me zero. But then again, he was one of those overpaid, unionized, auto workers:sarcasm:

But all you haters out there can feel comfort in the fact that if I ever marry again, I'll lose it.

[DesertFlower]

18. no hate here. nt

[canoeist52]

16. about 10% for two with health and dental

[DesertFlower]

17. 1.7% that includes dental.

hubby doesn't pay anything for himself, but it costs us $121 a month to cover me. another $79 a month goes for dental insurance for both of us.

we also contribute a large amount to our HCRA to take care of deductibles, co-payments, etc.

[endless october]

19. $240 a month of my unemployment goes to COBRA.

and i am happy it's that low thanks to the subsidy.

would much prefer to have a system like the one in France. if you're sick, you go to the doctor. as it should be. no medical bankruptcies; just a humane, first world system.

the fact that a system like that is controversial here in the US is unbelievable.

[vicdoc]

20. About 20%

Most people have no clue how much it costs on average for their bosses to provide health care benefits. I am a self employed and last year health care insurance cost me $15k for the 3 of us. That's for a $500 deductible 70%/30% plan. To make it more affordable we increased the deductible to $2500, otherwise we would have to pay about $20k this year because I'm an old fart in my 50s. Since I'm self employed there is of course about 15% on top of that for taxes for my insurance. You know your employer contributes an amount equal to what you pay for SS and Medicare (Fica) taxes.

Why, you ask, don't I shop around for insurance? Well, I tried but pre-existing conditions means I'm un-insurable. Let's say they abolish that and I go to your plan. But then your plan will be saddled with my very expensive health care costs, and guess what, your employer will have to pay more and you will earn less, one way or another. If the insurance company cannot raise their premiums they will go under, and the government will take over.

Medicare folks pay about $100 a month for what costs you, the taxpayers about $7000 a year, and it pays 80%/20% of the government approved fees, which is about 90% of what it costs hospitals to provide, and after cutting Doctor's fees on average 70%.

Health care costs a bundle in the US because of an aging population, rising drug costs, defensive medicine, government regulations and paperwork, people are getting more obese, creation of better but more expensive treatments and diagnostic machines, demands by patients for the very best and most up to date treatments and best medications no matter what the cost (or I'll sue your ass), do everything because it's MY grand ma and the fact it is very labor and brick/mortar intensive, requires training and certification no matter how low you are in the system and care has to be provided to all no matter whether they have insurance or not in the ER.

I think single payor will eventually happen because people want something for nothing and they don't seem to mind borrowing off of future generations to pay for today's needs. What the heck is another trillion or 2 a year if I don't have to pay it? Great quality, see your Doc tomorrow when ever you want for as long as you want and get a heart transplant even if you're 85. Everyone wants Quality, Access, low Cost. Sorry, you might get 2 out of 3 but not all 3. Hopefully, by then I will be in the ranks of happy Medicare beneficiaries who is in the wagon and no longer dragging it.

[Cairycat]

21. Over 16%

out of my husband's check for the two of us. No dental, and it seems to pay quite poorly for lab work. There's so many things that it doesn't cover, or doesn't cover well, that we keep the kids on Medicaid. That 16 percent is a big chunk out of a small joint income.

[w8liftinglady]

22. 12%...on disability(60% of my salary)

I don't dare let it go...with my multiple pre-existing conditions..

[pansypoo53219]

23. SORRY.

this is FAR too simple and cost effective and LOGICAL. this is america.

[etherealtruth]

24. Health, dental and vision- approx. 10%

[demosincebirth]

25. 0%