This report briefly summarizes findings from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) on employer-sponsored insurance that have resulted from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)-funded research conducted to date.
For decades, Federal and State policymakers have sought ways to offer affordable health insurance coverage, but this goal has been elusive. The number of uninsured remains high and costs for health care insurance keep growing, even though legislation has been enacted and regulatory changes have been made that affect both public and private programs.
The U.S. employer-based health insurance market provides insurance coverage to nearly two-thirds of the population under 65. In addition, nearly 80 percent of the uninsured live in a family where at least one adult is employed. Therefore, building on these programs might be an attractive component of any solution. But it is essential to have sound, evidence-based information about that system to make informed decisions.
This Research in Action is intended to answer questions that might arise during discussions about options. Based on data obtained by the Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), an ongoing series of annual surveys, it answers the questions:
- What are the recent trends in offer, eligibility, and enrollment rates?
- What impact does firm size have on whether or not employers offer health insurance?
- What factors affect whether employees enroll in insurance programs?
- Who is less likely to have employer-sponsored insurance?
Read the full report here.
Contact Steven Cosby with questions or to request more information and to schedule a healthcare plan evaluation, savings analysis or group plan solution for your company.