About 53% of U.S. workers say they are not confident that they will be able to find similar or better health coverage in the insurance exchanges than they currently receive through their employers, according to a survey by the National Business Group on Health. The survey found that health insurance is the most vital benefit that employers can offer, with 87% of respondents saying that health insurance is very or extremely important, up from 84% in a similar 2007 survey.

The survey also found that employees had specific needs and opinions about their health plans:

  • 54% of workers prefer lower premiums to lower copayments for physician visits and prescriptions, compared with 27% who expressed this preference in 2007;
  • 35% are more satisfied now with their health plans, and 53% said they were similarly satisfied with their current coverage than in 2007, despite premium increases;
  • 77% said employers should offer wellness programs to control costs; and
  • 36% are willing to accept cuts to their health benefits if it means an increase to their retirement benefits.