For the past eight years, the EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESEARCH INSTITUTE | ||||||
( EBRI) has conducted a survey of consumer confidence as it relates to employer | ||||||
sponsored health insurance. | ||||||
Last year’ s survey results have recently been published and some interesting conclusions can be drawn from the results. One of the questions asked was“ What changes would you make if any, if Congress decides to tax health benefits as a means to raise revenue to pay for Healthcare Reform?” The results of survey show that nearly half of American workers would either switch to lower cost option, or drop coverage all together. |
of employer sponsored health insurance is certain to continue notwithstanding the pending changes inside of healthcare reform.
The survey also found that individuals were mixed when it comes to their preferred means of obtaining health insurance. 40 % of those who responded would prefer to continue to receive employer sponsored health insurance, 34 % would prefer to obtain their own coverage and receive a reimbursement
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The |
2012 |
EBRI |
from their |
employer, |
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Heath |
Confidence |
and 23 % would prefer |
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Survey found that if current tax preferences were to change and employment – based coverage became taxable to workers, 26 % would want to switch |
… the EBRI survey shows that employee benefits and health insurance in particular are a key factor in an employee’ s decision in choosing a job. |
that their employer give them the money for health insurance and then let them decided whether to buy it or not.
Choice of health plans was also a key
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to a less costly plan, 21 % would shop directly for themselves, and 9 % would drop coverage all together and pay the penalty associated with the individual mandate in Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act( PPACA). However, nearly 40 % of those responding said they would retain their current converge— an increase of 10 % from the previous year’ s survey.
While changes resulting from PPACA have raised concerns as to whether employers will continue to offer health coverage to their employees, the EBRI survey shows that employee benefits and health insurance in particular are a key factor in an employee’ s decision in choosing a job. Since employers use employee benefit programs to attract and retain the best employees, the trend
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factor in consumer satisfaction. Most workers responding to the EBRI survey said that more choices would improve their perception of an employer sponsored health plan. Employees given a single health plan choice were among the least satisfied group in the survey.
Finally, employees expressed that the addition of Wellness Benefits and incentives for healthy living would be a welcome addition to an employee benefit program.
With January 1, 2014 around the corner, now is the time to begin the review of your health plan to assure you are in compliance when PPACA is fully implemented. Pacific
Coast Benefits is committed to assisting our clients navigate healthcare reform. If you would like to attend an upcoming Healthcare
Reform Seminar, contact us for an invitation.
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