Not to defend your company, as they could have passed on additional cost to employees that used to be covered by their portion of the overall premium, but they didn't likely "hike" the cost.
All costs are rising, and healthcare costs are always ahead of inflation. Insurance is a risk game. It's gambling in a sense. When an insurance company provides a quote for your company, they are taking on potential risks based on age, size, and health of your staff. They are betting against illness and paying when it happens. To mitigate the risk, they share it with employers in the form of premiums and with you as a potential patient. They have wellness programs and encourage proactive approaches to health to offset needs. If their pool of members is big enough, they should be able to cover the costs and have a tidy profit left over. Or, depending on their business structure, at least break even.
I think it's important to understand that because employers shop around for benefits to try to get the best coverage for the smallest cost to them AND to you. They can't control how they are rated (if everyone is obese, smokers, of child-bearing age, etc.) but they can try to keep costs down. I say this because you may not be walking into a better-cost situation with a new employer. They are going to be up for renewal with their insurance companies at different points in the year, not just January, so proceed with caution and get the details before you accept a new role. Good luck!
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