Nearly nine in 10 workers are satisfied with their employer-sponsored health coverage, with a large majority valuing the financial security and peace of mind it provides.
“Employer-provided coverage is the backbone of our nation’s healthcare system, delivering high-quality, affordable healthcare and financial security to more than 180 million Americans,” said Mike Tuffin, president and CEO of AHIP.
A recent AHIP survey found that employer-sponsored coverage is central to both household financial security and employment retention. At the same time, however, the findings highlight ongoing challenges about broader healthcare affordability that merit continued attention from policymakers and the private sector.
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Health coverage remains the most important benefit
Health insurance ranks as the most important workplace benefit, with 68% of respondents identifying it as their top benefit, significantly ahead of retirement plans or paid time off. This underscores the central role health coverage plays in employees’ overall employment decisions. Despite high satisfaction levels, cost concerns remain prevalent. More than two-thirds of respondents express concern about rising healthcare costs.
Ninety-six percent of respondents say employer-sponsored health insurance is important to their family’s financial security, with seven in 10 saying that losing coverage would cause significant financial hardship. The link between health coverage and employment decisions is particularly strong. Eighty-five percent of workers say they would likely leave their job if their employer no longer offered health insurance, highlighting its role as a key retention factor.
Just over half of respondents are familiar with proposals to tax employer-provided health benefits. Among this group, strong majorities support maintaining the tax-exempt status of employer health benefits. Seventy-one percent say the current tax treatment is fair, and 83% agree that employer-sponsored health insurance should remain tax-exempt.
Eighty-one percent of respondents report having access to telehealth services through their plan, and eight in 10 report having access to mental health services. Improving mental health and addiction treatment services is a high priority for the vast majority of covered workers, with 90% supporting enhanced access to these services. However, administrative challenges in navigating care remain an issue for many workers. Forty-three percent report missing work because of administrative hurdles in accessing or coordinating their healthcare, pointing to opportunities for streamlining the member experience and reducing friction in care delivery.
Finally, plan literacy among enrollees is relatively strong on key coverage elements. Eighty-nine percent are aware that their employer contributes to their health insurance premiums, and 94% know that they receive required plan disclosures and information.
“These findings confirm once again that Americans strongly value their employer-provided health coverage and want policymakers to support the longstanding partnership between employers and health plans,” Tuffin said.
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