Deductibles march higher for employer-provided health insurance

Employers are dramatically shifting healthcare costs onto workers, so much so that the average annual deductible for an individual surpassed $1,000 for the first time this year, according to a study by benefits consulting firm Mercer. Millions of workers must now pay an average of $1,001 out of their own pockets before their health insurance coverage begins paying a share of the expenses. That's up 17% from $859 in 2007.