With more than half of Americans receiving healthcare through their employers, a new study of American employees finds that 71% believe their employer-provided health care coverage is easy to use, and 76% say it would protect them from the majority of their medical costs in an emergency. Those are some of the results from a new survey conducted for America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) by Locust Street Group, designed to measure the perceptions, priorities and expectations of Americans who have employer-provided coverage.
- Matt Eyles, president and CEO of AHIP, said that these survey results show that employer-provided coverage continues to deliver affordable access to care, important value and peace of mind for more than 183 million Americans. “Employers are at the forefront of responding to COVID-19, and health insurance providers have been their partner along the way to keep hardworking American families covered. We appreciate that Congress and the Administration recognized that value, with timely and targeted subsidies in the latest relief package to help people stay covered during the pandemic even if they lose their jobs”, he added.
- The survey asked 1,000 Americans about their perceptions of their employer-provided coverage. Questions focused on how people feel about their own coverage, their perceptions about the health care system, the coverage other Americans have, how their coverage has supported them through COVID-19, and health insurance providers’ role in improving health equity.
- Among the findings, more than three-quarters – 76% – feel their health care coverage will protect them during a medical emergency, of respondents, 71% say their coverage is easy to use and they understand the benefits and services covered by their plan, a strong majority – 67% – are satisfied with their current coverage and many think their plans would also be good for their fellow citizens, employer-provided coverage remains an important part of business’ compact with employees especially during this critical time – 75% say that coverage played a role in their decision to accept their current job, while 78% say it impacts their decision to stay at their current job.Provider choice, comprehensive coverage, and affordability are top drivers of satisfaction with their plans, while costs continue to be the top issue of concern.
- The value-added services provided by their insurance provider that are most meaningful to consumers include care coordination and coordination of prescription drug refills.Americans continue to underestimate how much their employers pay toward their coverage: Just 39% correctly estimate that the average employer contributes 70% or more of the cost of the coverage they receive.Nearly three-quarters of Americans – 73% – think it’s important for health insurance providers to work to improve health equity.A majority of Americans – 62% – support the current tax-free status of employee health benefits.