Nation's largest health plan survey sites key trends in employer health plans

The 2009 UBA Health Plan Survey was conducted October 1, 2008 to June 5, 2009, through the joint effort of nearly 140 of the nation's premier independent benefit advisory firms who comprise UBA. Member Firms, in conjunction with existing clients, completed responses, and additional area employers were invited to complete the web-based surveys. UBA obtained plan data for a total of 17,655 plans from 12,316 employers.

While other surveys primarily target large employers, this survey focuses on reporting results that are applicable to the small to mid-size companies who represent the overwhelming majority of the nation's 5 million-plus employers, with a mix of larger companies in rough proportion to their prevalence nationally. Thus, this survey provides a current snapshot of the nation's employers rather than covered employees. Its primary purpose is to provide accurate and relevant health plan benchmarks employers can use to help them make critical benefits decisions.

Key statistics from this year's survey results:

• The average increase for all plan types was 7.3%
• PPO plans have nearly two-thirds of all enrolled employees (63.9%)
• Fee For Service Plans are all but extinct, with only 0.4% of employees enrolled
• The average employee contribution for plans with contributions for all plan types is $105 for single and $419 for family
• More than three-fourths of all wellness plans (78.4%) offered a health risk assessment
• More than two-thirds (67.2%) of all family plans without a deductible are located in the Northeast and West
• Of all plans in the Northeast, 86.6% have 100% coinsurance
• 52.7% of all covered employees also elected to cover their dependents

The 2009 UBA Health Plan Survey will be available to the public after Nov. 1.  Only UBA Member Firms have access to the more granular state, region, and industry data.  Analysis of the 2009 UBA Health Plan Survey data will continue over the next several months, and additional findings will be forthcoming. To receive more information prior to the public release, contact your local UBA Member Firm.

Press Release	2009 UBA Health Plan Survey Order Form (PDF Downloaded)
2009 UBA Health Plan Survey Video

Annual Benchmark Survey Shows Average Annual Health Plan Cost is $7,327 Per Employee; Largest Percentage Increase in CDHP Adopters Comes from Employers in the Northeast with a 90% Increase Over the 2007 UBA Health Plan Survey Results.

With responses from 18,019 health plans sponsored by 12,860 employers nationwide who employ nearly 2.4 million people (approximately 5.4 million employees and their families), the 2008 UBA Health Plan Survey is the nation's largest and most comprehensive survey of plan design and plan costs.

"With a growth rate of approximately 10 percent over last year's previously unprecedented number of respondents, the report defines benchmarks for a greater number of specific industries, regions, and employee size categories than have been available previously," said Bill Stafford, UBA’s vice president of member services, "The results will be especially valuable to employers in evaluating the effectiveness of their current plans and to knowledgeably making future adjustments while keeping their benefits competitive and cost-effective."

"Certainly the continued growth of CDHPs is a key headline to come out of this year’s survey," said Stafford. "Fee For Service and Exclusive Provider Organizations have now virtually disappeared from the market, and HMOs are losing ground as employers seek to help contain the rising cost of health care and insurance premiums."

Press Release

2008 UBA Health Plan Survey Order Form (PDF Downloaded, 264k)

2008 UBA Health Plan Survey Media and Public Summary Statement
(Flash presentation, Aug. 20, 2008)

United Benefit Advisors: Employers Have High Confidence They Can Control Health Care Costs with Proper Tools

Results from the 2008 UBA Employer Opinion Survey show "that the majority of employers believe in the long-term value and positive impact that comprehensive wellness and disease management programs provide," said William Stafford, Vice President of Member Services for UBA. "Keeping the healthy employees healthy while stabilizing and/or improving the health of employees with chronic conditions will dramatically improve everyone's health and quality of life."

"This survey illustrates that employers have a high level of confidence in their ability to control health care costs and that their employees can make informed choices if given the additional tools necessary to do so," Stafford said. "In the current environment, the absence of readily available price and quality data coupled with an expectation of both employers and employees to make sound health care decisions is like asking someone to navigate turbulent waters while blindfolded and without the ability to steer."

"Overall, the survey results show that employers take their role as the primary source for health care coverage in America quite seriously," Stafford said. "Employers have made it quite clear that they cannot take sole responsibility for health care costs; they need to partner with employees, physicians, hospitals and the government to find a solution to the health care crisis we are all experiencing."

Press Release (April 22, 2008)

2008 Employer Opinion Survey Order Form (PDF Downloaded, 68k)