As open enrollment wraps up and employees look ahead to their 2026 benefits, a thought-provoking trend comes into focus: While more than half of Americans give the overall health insurance system a middling “C” grade or below, nearly 90% express satisfaction with their own coverage, according to a recent eHealth survey.
These findings highlight a clear disconnect, while many employees are dissatisfied with the broader benefits system, they often feel content with their individual plans. This satisfaction, however, may mask underlying concerns related to cost or access.
Rising healthcare costs are causing many Americans to delay or forgo necessary care. Recent surveys reveal that roughly half of Americans struggle to afford their monthly premiums or prescriptions, and nearly as many report difficult choices between paying medical bills and covering essentials like food or housing.
Other findings underscore the scope of consumer frustration:
- Health care access gaps – Only 48% of respondents report having access to their preferred doctors.
- Worry about inflation – Over one third of Americans (35%) are more concerned about rising healthcare costs than about expenses like food, gasoline, or home insurance.
- Systematic blame – Most survey participants attribute issues in the system primarily to insurance companies (66%) and drug companies (60%), followed by politicians (42%), and fraud and waste (34%).
Employer Takeaway
As employees complete open enrollment for 2026, new data from eHealth reveals a widening gap between the coverage employees have and the confidence they feel in their benefits.
These insights highlight a valuable opportunity for employers to align their benefit strategies with workforce needs. While changing the broader system may not be possible, communicating plan features, out-of-pocket costs, and provider networks clearly empowers employees to make informed, cost-effective decisions.
Employers should regularly track healthcare affordability and access trends to guide benefits design and strengthen employee confidence in their coverage. Download the bulletin for more details.
