Measuring the Sentiments of People with Employer-Provided Health Coverage
Problem
The impact and value of employer-provided health coverage (EPC) is understudied.
AHIP, a national association of health insurance providers, wanted to analyze the impact that employer-provided health insurance coverage (EPC) has on access and the quality of care for its members. AHIP was particularly interested in understanding the impact of EPC on the experiences of those living in rural areas.
This subject, while understudied, is increasingly important to understand as EPC covers approximately 60 percent of people in the U.S. Additionally, AHIP was interested in studying how people value the care they receive through their employers after the end of the pandemic public health emergency. Further understanding of the values and perceptions of EPC can inform policymakers and the public about the value of EPC.
Solution
NORC used the AmeriSpeak panel to survey 3,852 people with employer-provided health coverage.
AHIP contracted with NORC to field an AmeriSpeak survey of 3,000 consumers with employer-provided insurance coverage (EPC). The survey focused on three key areas:
- Satisfaction with coverage and specific supports provided by health plans
- Utilization and value of mental health and substance use services (with a particular focus on children who access these services)
- Utilization and value of access to telehealth services
To supplement the findings of the survey, NORC also conducted 10 in-depth interviews with individuals who completed the survey and consented to a follow-up conversation. Individuals were selected for interviews based on variation in geographical location, type of health plan, health status, and other demographic variables. Additionally, the survey oversampled for rural residents, ultimately including 1,224 rural respondents.
Result
Most respondents reported being satisfied with their EPC's convenience and quality of care.
Our research on employer-provided coverage yielded several interesting findings, including:
- 89 percent of survey respondents said their EPC has a provider network that includes options that are convenient for them.
- 82 percent of respondents said they had access to high-quality providers through their EPC.
- 88 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their plan offered tools such as provider directories that helped them find providers that are in-network.
- 71 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they are better able to manage their chronic condition because of their EPC.
- 8 out of 10 respondents reported that coverage of mental health services is at least somewhat important to them and their family.
- Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they value on-demand virtual medical appointments being covered by their EPC.
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Project Leads
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Sarah Rayel
Senior Director -
Kate Honsberger
Director
