Do most Americans have private insurance through their employers?

Asked by: Rickie Roob DVM  |  Last update: December 1, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (48 votes)

Of the subtypes of health insurance coverage, employment-based insurance was the most common, covering 53.7 percent of the population for some or all of the calendar year, followed by Medicaid (18.9 percent), Medicare (18.9 percent), direct-purchase coverage (10.2 percent), TRICARE (2.6 percent), and VA and CHAMPVA ...

What percentage of Americans get their insurance through their employer?

Percentage of U.S. population with employment-based health insurance 1987-2023. In 2023, 53.7 percent of the U.S. population had employment-based health insurance coverage.

How many people get health insurance through their job?

In small firms, the nine states whose share was above the national average were: California (55%); Hawaii (90.6%); Illinois (55.8%); Maryland (57.3%); New Jersey (56.8%); New York (56.1%); Oklahoma (58.5%); Pennsylvania (56.3%); and Rhode Island (57.2%).

How do most Americans get their health insurance?

While the majority of people in the United States have private health insurance, primarily through an employer, others obtain coverage through programs offered by the government.

How much does the average American pay for health insurance through an employer?

Employer vs.

For single plans, the overall average cost was $7,911 last year. This cost is split between employers and employees: Employer costs: $6,584. Employee costs: $1,327.

Understanding your health insurance options if you leave your employer

31 related questions found

What is the most common type of private insurance plan?

The preferred provider organization (PPO) plan is the most common type of health plan.

Why is employer health insurance so expensive?

Ultimately, health care cost growth drives premium costs. Compared to other high-income countries, the United States consistently has the highest health care costs. One of the drivers of these costs are the prices providers charge for their services.

What percent of Americans have private insurance?

In 2023, most people, 92.0 percent or 305.2 million, had health insurance, either for some or all of the year. In 2023, private health insurance coverage continued to be more prevalent than public coverage, at 65.4 percent and 36.3 percent, respectively.

What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

What country has the best healthcare?

According to the 2024 Mirror, Mirror report, Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have the best healthcare systems, though the differences in overall performance among most countries are relatively small.

Who benefits most from employer-based health insurance in the US?

Today, employer-sponsored insurance represents the single largest source of health benefits in the United States, covering more than 70 percent of workers, 53 percent of children, and 36 percent of nonworking adults (see the exhibit below).

How much does it cost an employer to provide health insurance?

Private industry employers typically cover 59% to 80% of healthcare premiums. How much do employers pay for health insurance? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), businesses pay an average of $7,034 to cover individual workers on their team. For family coverage, employers pay an average of $17,393.

Why is private health insurance so expensive?

There are many factors that contribute to the high cost of healthcare in the country including wasteful systems, rising drug costs, medical professional salaries, profit-driven healthcare centers, types of medical practices, and health-related pricing.

How do most people obtain health insurance?

Most people in California get group health insurance through a job. This is also called employee coverage. Employers with 100 employees buy large-group policies, and those with fewer than 100 buy small-group policies. In most cases, group insurance is better than individual insurance.

What is the most expensive health insurance?

Platinum health insurance is the most expensive type of health care coverage you can purchase. You pay low out-of-pocket expenses for appointments and services, but high monthly premiums. Plans typically feature a small deductible or no deductible and cheap copays or coinsurance.

Which health insurance denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

Is it worth it to not have health insurance?

What are the financial implications of being uninsured? Uninsured individuals often face unaffordable medical bills when they do seek care. These bills can quickly translate into medical debt since most people who are uninsured have low or moderate incomes and have little, if any, savings.

What do poor people do for health insurance?

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide free or low-cost health coverage to some low-income people, families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Some states expanded their Medicaid programs to cover all people below certain income levels.

What percentage of people get health insurance through their employer?

INTRODUCTION. In 2020, over 163 million Americans – 50% of the US population – were covered by health insurance provided by an employer, either through their own job or as a dependent. Close to 60% of firms offer health insurance to at least some of their employees.

What age group is most uninsured?

Young Adults (Ages 18 Through 24 Years)

Almost three out of every ten young adults do not have health insurance. Members of this age group are nearly twice as likely to be uninsured compared to members of the general population under age 65.

Where do most Americans get their health insurance?

More than two-thirds of Americans get their health insurance from private insurers. More than half of all insurance coverage is employer-provided.

Is $200 a month good for health insurance?

Health insurance that costs $200 per month is a good deal in California. Silver plans typically cost $513 per month for a 21-year-old or $656 per month for a 40-year-old. The best way to get cheap rates is to use health insurance subsidies, which lower the cost of an insurance plan based on your income.

Can I decline employer health insurance and get my own?

Not Mandatory: You are not required to take your employer's health insurance if you don't want it; you can opt-out and choose another plan. Consider Coverage and Costs: Before opting out, compare your employer's plan with other options, considering both coverage and costs, including any potential tax benefits.