NBGH Employee Survey: Employees are Happy With Their Insurance

Despite higher premiums and out of pocket costs for health care benefits, U.S. workers satisfaction levels with employer-provided health care coverage has either risen or remained the same compared to three years ago, according to a survey of employees conducted by the National Business Group on Health.  The survey also found that roughly one in three employees are not confident in their ability to shop for health insurance on their own, and more than half are not confident they could purchase the same or better quality insurance on their own.

The survey found that overall nearly two in three workers (63%) are very satisfied with their current health coverage provided by their employer or union. And despite the fact that nearly two thirds of workers have experienced higher premiums and out of pocket costs, roughly one-third (35%) are more satisfied with their coverage compared to three years ago. Only 12% are less satisfied and the remaining 53% said their satisfaction level has remained the same. Interestingly, while workers are satisfied with their health benefits, a majority (62%) are unable to estimate how much their employers pay for their health benefits.

The survey also found that 87% of employees rated health benefits as very important when making a decision about accepting a new job or remaining with their employer, while 78% rated retirement benefits as very important, which is up sharply from 63% in 2007.