A recent survey reveals that approximately 65% of Americans hold the belief that employer-sponsored insurance offers them a sense of “financial security,” according to a report released on Wednesday by AHIP. The survey, conducted by Locust Street Group between April 17 and April 25, was part of AHIP’s Coverage@Work campaign, aimed at gathering perspectives on Americans’ views regarding employer-sponsored coverage. The study gathered responses from 1,000 U.S. consumers who have employer-sponsored insurance.
The survey’s findings indicate that 68% of participants consider employer-sponsored insurance crucial for attracting employees, while 77% perceive it as important for employee retention. In a news release, Matt Eyles, the President and CEO of AHIP, stated, “Employer-provided coverage enables more than 180 million Americans to uphold and enhance their health and offers financial stability for both themselves and their families.”
A majority of respondents, accounting for 63%, expressed satisfaction with their existing employer-sponsored coverage. Meanwhile, 23% reported being dissatisfied, and 14% stated that they neither felt satisfied nor dissatisfied. The primary factors contributing to their satisfaction were identified as comprehensive coverage, affordability, and the availability of a variety of providers to choose from.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that 68% of respondents expressed a preference for receiving coverage from their employer rather than relying on government-provided options. Approximately 82% of participants reported that their health insurance plan covers preventive services, while 76% stated that it grants them access to high-quality healthcare providers. Additionally, 53% of respondents indicated that they find the costs they pay for their insurance to be reasonable.
According to the survey, the benefits that consumers prioritize the most are emergency care, with 62% of respondents expressing its importance. Prescription drugs followed closely, with 58% considering them a crucial aspect of their coverage. Additionally, 55% of participants emphasized the significance of having access to preventive care as a valued benefit.
Phillip Morris, a partner at Locust Street Group, stated in a statement, “From emergency to preventive care, consumers appreciate and depend on the all-inclusive coverage provided by their employers.” This highlights the sentiment that individuals highly value the broad range of coverage they receive through their employer-sponsored insurance, spanning from emergency medical services to preventive healthcare.
Additional findings from the survey include:
- Approximately 50% of the participants hold the belief that employer-sponsored insurance successfully addresses the mental health needs of children, while 15% perceive it as ineffective. Furthermore, an additional 58% expressed the view that the demand for child mental health care provided by employers is expected to increase in the future.
- An additional 68% of Americans who have employer-sponsored insurance consider it essential for their health plans to include coverage for telehealth services. Moreover, 73% of the survey participants expressed the opinion that the federal government should maintain the telehealth flexibilities that were introduced during the pandemic.
- A majority, comprising more than half of the respondents, expressed opposition to taxing employer health benefits. Additionally, 63% of participants stated that they would be less inclined to vote for a lawmaker who supports such taxation. This sentiment was shared across different political affiliations, with 60% of Democrats, 68% of swing voters, and 57% of Republicans expressing their disagreement with taxing employer health benefits.
- Approximately 61% of the survey participants hold the belief that employer-sponsored insurance plays a crucial role in facilitating healthcare access for Americans residing in rural and underserved communities. This indicates the perceived importance of employer-sponsored insurance in bridging the healthcare gap for individuals in these specific areas.
