In each of the past four years, the index revealed, employees have assumed an increasing percentage of the total cost of care. The total employee cost increased by approximately 32 percent from 2010 to 2014, while employer costs (premium contributions) increased by 26 percent.

“The good news is that the annual rate of increase has been declining for years,” said Chris Girod, co-author of the Milliman Medical Index. “The bad news is that this represents yet another $1,100 jump in costs for this typical family. Even if we are bending the cost curve, there are few other household expenses that increase at four figures per year.”

On average, pharmacy costs increased 4.5 percent over 2013.

So far, researchers said, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has had “little direct impact” on the cost of care for a family. But that could change.

Scott Weltz, co-author of the MMI, called PPACA the “elephant that's about to enter the room.”

“There are provisions in the law that may contribute either upward or downward pressure on employer-sponsored plans; it will take some time before we know how health reform is affecting a typical family that receives coverage through an employer.”