What to Benchmark
- Deductible levels (single and family)
- Out-of-pocket maximums (single and family)
- Copay amounts (primary care, specialist, ER)
- Coinsurance rates
- Employer premium contribution (% of total premium)
- Employee premium contribution (single and family)
- Plan types offered (PPO, HDHP, HMO)
- HSA employer contribution amount
Key Benchmarking Sources
| Source | Focus | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| KFF Employer Health Benefits Survey | Premiums, cost-sharing, plan types | National benchmarks by size |
| Mercer National Survey | Cost trends, plan design | Mid-to-large employer benchmarks |
| SHRM Benefits Survey | Benefits offerings breadth | HR professional benchmarks |
| UBA Health Plan Survey | Regional and industry data | Broker-sourced regional data |
| Willis Towers Watson | Total rewards, strategy | Large employer benchmarks |
Using Benchmarks in Client Conversations
Pro Tip
Benchmarking data is most powerful when it is specific to the client's industry and size. A manufacturing company with 200 employees should be benchmarked against other manufacturing companies of similar size — not against the national average that includes tech companies and large corporations. Use industry-specific benchmarks whenever possible.