Analysis of
new federal data by SHADAC finds that most people (59.3%) in CT covered by
employer-sponsored health plans were in high-deductible plans last year, up
from 40% in 2013. For purposes of this study, high-deductible plans are defined
as meeting the minimum deductible amount required for Health Savings Account
eligibility ($1,300 for an individual and $2,600 for a family in 2016). The
rate varies significantly between states but CT ranks 3rd highest in
the nation, behind only NH and KY. The national average was 42.6%.
The survey found little change in the percent of CT employers
offering coverage from 2012 to 2016 (55.8% to 52.6%). Employers with over 50
workers are almost three times more likely to offer health benefits and that
gap is growing. As in the past, both premiums and deductibles were higher for
employers with less than 50 workers last year. CT workers employed by small
firms were more likely to be enrolled in a high-deductible plan (62.4% vs.
58.7%).
