The average healthcare rate increased 3.2% in 2015 for mid-size and large companies in 2015, according to an analysis released by Aon. This marks the lowest rate increase since Aon began tracking the data in 1996.

However, Aon projects average premium increases will jump to 4.1% in 2016.

“The sluggish growth in the economy has deterred many individuals from using medical services, and there's also been modest price inflation — both factors have been primary drivers for the low rates of premium increases over the past few years,” said Mike Morrow, senior VP of Aon Health. “As prescription drug costs continue to grow at a double-digit pace and the economy picks up speed, it’s likely these premium rates will start to climb.”

Despite the low rate of increase, the average amount that employees need to contribute toward their health care has increased more than 134% over the past decade, Aon reported. According to Aon’s analysis, employees contributed $2,490 toward the premium and another $2,208 in out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles in 2015. In contrast, the amount of employees' premium and out-of-pocket costs combined in 2005 was just $2,001.

Aon Hewitt’s data is derived from the Aon Hewitt Health Value Initiative database, which captures healthcare cost and benefit data for more than 600 large US employers representing 11.7 million participants, more than 1,200 health plans and nearly $59 billion in 2015 healthcare spending.

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