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There are more than 180 million Americans who take advantage of affordable options that employer-provided coverage (EPC) provides to employees and their families.
EPC Delivers for Consumers & Families:
- There’s good news – the stats show that EPC is working.
- New research out this month tallies across-the-board satisfaction when people rated their plans’ ability to bring them affordable options, quality providers, and other options for getting the care they need.
The background: AHIP, through its Coverage@Work campaign, commissioned NORC at the University of Chicago to ask nearly 4,000 people with workplace health coverage and diverse backgrounds about their experiences.
Here’s what we found:
Access:
- 89% of survey respondents said their EPC has a provider network that includes options that are convenient for them.
Quality:
- 82% said they had access to high-quality providers through their EPC.
- 88% of respondents agreed their plan offered tools that helped them find in-network providers.
- 71% agreed or strongly agreed that they are better able to manage their chronic conditions because of their EPC.
Affordability:
- One in five respondents reported using a cost comparison tool. Among those who did, almost 60% say it changed their behavior, and some chose less expensive treatment options.
A standout stat: Most rural Americans surveyed (78%) said they feel their employer-provided health insurance gives them access to high-quality providers. It’s promising news, especially as access to nearby health care is a serious challenge for the 20% of Americans who live in rural communities.
Why this data matters: High satisfaction rates across the board are good news when you consider the sheer number of people who rely on this system of care. According to Coverage@Work studies:
- Nearly half of all children in the United States get access to health care coverage through their parent or guardian’s employer plan.
- Nearly half (47%) of all Black Americans rely on EPC for their health care, as well as 40% of Hispanic Americans.
Want more facts about employer-provided coverage? Check out AHIP’s Coverage@Work initiative for the stats you need to know.
Read more about the NORC study here.