Latest Report Shows Alabama with Some of the Lowest Premiums in the Nation

BIRMINGHAM, AL — For the second year, Alabama has the 3rd lowest average annual family premiums among employers nationwide, according to the federal government’s 2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services. Previous MEPS reports also confirm that Alabama has had some of the lowest family premiums in the country for the last seven years.

The 2017 MEPS report below shows how Alabama compares to other states for average annual family premiums among employers:

State Average Annual Family Premiums

Utah

$16,350

Arkansas

$16,663

Alabama

$16,902

Kentucky

$16,948

Iowa

$17,086

Idaho

$17,168

Florida

$17,189

Nevada

$17,221

Mississippi

$17,343

Tennessee

$17,349

States reporting the highest family premiums for 2017 are Alaska at $22,417, Wyoming at $21,355 and Massachusetts at $21,053. States reporting the lowest average family premiums are Utah at $16,350, Arkansas at $16,663 and Alabama at $16,902.

The 2011-2017 MEPS reports show Alabama’s ranking compared to the national average:

Average Annual Family Premiums among Employers (Source - MEPS Table II.D.1 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017))
  2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
United States

$15,022

$15,473

$16,029

$16,655

$17,322

$17,710

$18,687

Alabama

$12,940

$12,764

$13,477

$14,352

$15,953

$16,098

$16,902

Ranking

2

1

1

2

4

3

3

“Taking care of our customers and putting them first remains one of our top priorities. Our company consistently looks for ways to control healthcare costs so we can continue to offer our members quality healthcare coverage at the most affordable price possible,” said Tim Vines, President and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “We recognize our members have a choice when it comes to selecting their health insurance carrier, and that is something we do not take for granted.”

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for 82 years. Blue Cross offers coverage plans to corporations, individuals and the senior market. For more information about Blue Cross, visit AlabamaBlue.com. Connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter for more up-to-date information.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is an association of 35 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield companies.