Most Employees Not Given a Choice of Health Plans

In 2011, 84% of employers with health benefits offered only one plan; 15% had two choices; and 1% offered three or more options. Large firms were more likely to offer a variety of health plans than small firms; 42% of large firms gave two or more choices, compared with 15% of smaller firms. As a result, nearly one-half (47%) of covered workers had a choice of health plans, and according to the 2011 EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey, 59% of adults ages 21 to 64 with employment-based health coverage had a choice of health plans.   

Among individuals covered by an employment-based health plan, those in consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) were more likely than those with traditional coverage to be given options. In 2011, 68% of CDHP enrollees had a choice of health plans, compared with 59% of individuals in traditional plans, and 48% of those with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).  

The greater variety for CDHP enrollees may be due to the fact that an increasing percentage of the CDHP population works for an employer with 500 or more employees and large employers tend to offer more benefit options, EBRI said in its July Notes.  

Asked about the main reasons for enrolling in their plan, 50% of CDHP enrollees reported they chose that offering because of the lower premium, while 45% said the opportunity to save money in the account for future years was a primary concern. Among individuals with traditional health coverage, 39% cited the good network of providers and 32% reported the low out-of-pocket costs as the main reasons for enrolment.  

Among individuals with a choice of plans, CDHP and HDHP enrollees were less likely than those with traditional coverage to say they were extremely or very satisfied with the quality of care received.