Texas employer-sponsored health insurance is costing more and buying less, a new report says.

The state-by-state report, released Thursday, found that between 2003 and 2010 such premiums in Texas rose 52 percent for families and 46 percent for individuals. In addition, both groups' deductibles more than doubled, regardless of whether the person worked in a small or large firm.

"This is a national trend, but Texas' numbers are particularly pronounced," said Cathy Schoen, the report's lead author and the senior vice president for The Commonwealth Fund, which has produced the report the last three years. "They've gone from rising slower than the national average to faster."

The report shows health insurance costs' continuing strain on the budgets of U.S. families and individuals. Employer premiums now account for at least 20 percent of the average household incomes of people under 65 in a majority of states, including Texas.

The report did not look at the causes of the rising numbers. It said health-care reform offers a chance to reduce the rising costs.

Beginning in 2012 under health-care reform, insurance companies that raise premiums more than 10 percent in a single year will come under review by state insurance commissions. And they must give refunds to subscribers if at least 80 to 85 percent of the premiums does not go toward the cost of medical care.

Spokeswomen for Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, the state's two biggest health insurance companies, attributed Texas' fast-rising numbers to escalating health-care costs. Margaret Jarvis, senior manager of media relations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, noted that they're rising two to three times faster than inflation.

"Controlling health-care costs is no simple task and will require the combined effort of the government, insurers, hospitals, physicians and the general public," Jarvis said.

Nationally, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums rose 50 percent for families and 46 percent for individuals. Deductibles doubled.

Schoen noted that Texas' numbers stand out because incomes in the state remained below the national average during the same time. The average family income in Texas was $56,000 in 2010; the national average was $67,000.

The average cost of employee-sponsored insurance for Texas families was $14,526 in 2010, up from $9,575 in 2003; and $4,951 for individuals in 2010, up from $3,400 in 2003. Single plan deductibles at small firms rose from $890 in 2003 to $1,821 in 2010; and at large firms from $547 to $1,112.

Schoen said average premiums will rise by 72 percent by 2020 if current trends are not slowed.

todd.ackerman@chron.com