Few U.S. consumers with group health coverage have an informed opinion about whether they can afford to stay insured if they lose their jobs.
Researchers at eHealthInsurance, a unit of eHealth Inc., Mountain View, Calif., have published that finding in a summary of results of a survey of about 1,000 U.S. workers ages 18 to 64.
About 32% admitted that they would not be able to afford any health insurance if they were out of work, and 65% said they would be unable to afford coverage if they were out of work for 6 months or longer, the researchers report.
But 64% of the participants with group health coverage said they have no idea what their employers pay for health coverage, and 27% said they have no idea what share of the health coverage bill they pay.
Other survey findings:
- 79% of the participants with group health coverage said they would rather get less vacation time than lose their health coverage.
- Only 49% of the participants said they would be willing to drop cable television to be able to afford health coverage.
- 34% of the survey participants believe they are more likely to lose their jobs in the coming year than to get a raise.