America's Health Insurance Plans: Consumers Say Employer-Provided Coverage Vital to Maintaining Health and Financial Well Being During Pandemic

WASHINGTON, July 22 (TNSres) -- America's Health Insurance Plans issued the following news release:

As the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt around the world, the vast majority of respondents (75%) in a recent AHIP Coverage@Work survey report that their employer-provided coverage was important to maintaining the health and financial security of them and their families during the pandemic. A large majority (71%) also reported that employer-provided coverage was helpful in accessing services like free testing, COVID-19 vaccinations, and telehealth appointments.

"Employer-provided coverage delivers high-quality, affordable health care for more than half of all Americans," said Jeanette Thornton, Senior Vice President of Product, Employer, and Commercial Policy at AHIP. "Serving every age, race, ethnicity, and income level, employer-provided coverage is the cornerstone for good health in America."

Conducted by Locust Street Group on behalf of AHIP's Coverage@Work campaign, the nationwide survey reached out to 1,000 consumers with employer-provided coverage to better understand their perceptions, priorities, and expectations towards their current coverage, how their current coverage works for them, and the benefits they value most.

Other key survey findings include:

The vast majority of respondents (75%) say that their employer-provided coverage was important to maintaining the health and financial security of them and their families during the pandemic.

A large majority (71%) also reported that employer-provided coverage was helpful in accessing services like free testing, COVID-19 vaccinations, and telehealth appointments.

A strong majority (67%) of Americans with employer-provided coverage are satisfied with their current coverage, and 64% believe the quality of their plan is high.

Most respondents (82%) agree that their plan already covers preventive services. In addition, 78% say their plan provides access to quality providers and 69% say their plan gives them financial peace of mind if something bad were to happen.

3 in 4 consumers with employer-provided coverage (75%) report they're likely to consider being seen by a doctor or treated via telehealth if it's an option. In addition, 76% of respondents consider it important for plans to cover telehealth services and 79% believe it's important for the federal government to maintain COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities for patients.

As some politicians propose taxing health benefits, a strong majority (66%) of respondents support the current tax treatment of employer-provided coverage and over half (52%) would be less likely to vote for a lawmaker who supports legislation weakening it.

"Employers are partners in good health, contributing nearly $5 for every $1 a single individual pays towards health coverage premiums," Thornton continued. "This helps increase access to affordable care for millions of workers and their families, helping more Americans get and stay healthy."

The survey was conducted online from June 7 - 22, 2022, with a margin of error of +/- 3% and was balanced to national demographics for gender, age, and region.

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REPORT: https://ahiporg-production.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/LSG-AHIP-EPC-Interested-Parties-Memo_final-7.13.22.pdf

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Original text here: https://www.ahip.org/news/press-releases/new-survey-consumers-say-employer-provided-coverage-vital-to-maintaining-health-and-financial-well-being-during-pandemic