This annual survey of employers provides a detailed look at trends in employer-sponsored health coverage, including changes in premiums, employee contributions, cost-sharing policies, and other relevant information. This year the survey also documented the prevalence of high-deductible health plans associated with a savings option, including the percentage of employers offering these plan types and the percentage of workers covered by them. The 2006 survey included 3,159 randomly selected public and private firms with three or more employees (2,122 of which responded to the full survey and 1,037 of which responded to an additional question about offering coverage). Researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation, The Center for Studying Health System Change and Health Research and Educational Trust designed and analyzed the survey.

Errata: In Figure 7.11, the percentage of covered workers in HDHP/SOs whose deductible does not apply to preventive benefits is 88% rather than the 22% previously reported; similarly, the percentage of covered workers in HDHP/HRAs whose deductible does not apply to prescription drugs is 43% rather than the 57% previously indicated. (8/23/07)

 News Release

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Health Affairs article (NOTE: To get free access, you must left click on the link, and not open it in a new window.)

Health Benefits In 2006: Premium Increases Moderate, Enrollment In Consumer-Directed Health Plans Remains Modest. 
Full Article | Abstract

Archive of All Employer Health Benefits Surveys

The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust have conducted this annual survey since 1999. The archives of the Employer Health Benefits Survey include these surveys and a small business supplement of the 1998 survey conducted by the Foundation.