2017 Employer Health Benefits Survey

The largest share of covered workers is enrolled in PPOs, covering 48% of covered workers, followed by HDHP/SOs, HMOs, POS plans, and conventional plans. Enrollment distribution varies by firm size: HDHP/SOs have a relatively higher share of enrollment among large firms (200 or more workers) than small firms (3-199 workers) (30% vs. 23%), and POS plans are relatively more popular among small firms than large firms (18% vs. 6%).

• Forty-eight percent of covered workers are enrolled in PPOs, followed by HDHP/SOs (28%), HMOs (14%), POS plans (10%), and conventional plans (<1%) [Figure 5.1].
• The percentage of covered workers enrolled in HDHP/SOs is similar to last year.
• A larger share of covered workers are enrolled in HDHP/SOs than in HMOs in both small firms and large firms.
• Plan enrollment patterns vary by firm size.
  • Covered workers in large firms are more likely than covered workers in small firms to enroll in HDHP/SOs (30% vs. 23%). Covered workers in small firms are more likely than covered workers in large firms to enroll in POS plans (18% vs. 6%) [Figure 5.2].
• Plan enrollment patterns also differ across regions.
  • HMO enrollment is significantly higher in the West (29%) and significantly lower in the South (10%) and Midwest (8%) [Figure 5.3].
  • Covered workers in the South (54%) are more likely to be enrolled in PPOs than workers in other regions, while covered workers in the West (39%) are less likely to be enrolled in a PPO [Figure 5.3].
  • Covered workers in the Midwest (36%) are more likely to be enrolled in HDHP/SOs than workers in other regions, while covered workers in the South (23%) are less likely to be enrolled in HDHP/SOs [Figure 5.3].