Study Finds Employers Less Satisfied with Health Insurance Plans

01/19/2010

Throughout the recession, a large number of companies, especially small businesses, were forced to cut back on their health insurance benefits or eliminate them altogether, driving more workers into the private market. Now, a recent study finds that even among employers that continue to offer health insurance, satisfaction is on the decline.

The study from PricewaterhouseCoopers Health Research Institute found that employers' overall satisfaction with the healthcare plans they provide now stands at 59 percent, down from 64 percent in 2008.

Small employers were said to be particularly inclined to be dissatisfied with current plans. Among this group, satisfaction was only 52 percent.

The study touched on areas such as claims processing, administrative fees, use of technology and customer service. Also, 71 percent of companies now have wellness programs, while 67 percent offer disease management programs.

Wellness programs can be especially useful in holding down costs because they can help people avoid expensive and dangerous medical conditions such as heart disease over time.

One thing for workers to consider is that 60 percent of employers are planning to shift more costs onto them as a way to manage the rising cost of health insurance.