First Annual Colorado Small Business Health Benefits Survey

Transcription

1 First Annual Colorado Small Business Health Benefits Survey

2 About the Survey Delta Dental of Colorado commissioned a first annual statewide survey of Colorado small business owners and employee benefits decision-makers in fall 04 to understand the impact of the Affordable Care Act on their businesses and employee benefits strategies. At a Glance 30 Colorado small business owners and employee benefits decision-makers surveyed in fall small businesses surveyed x 0 Half of respondents represent companies with ; half represent companies with 50% 50% 50% Denver Metro Half of respondents in Denver Metro area; half elsewhere in Colorado 50% Elsewhere, CO telephone interview of 30 small business owners and employee benefit decision-makers administered in August and September 04; +/- 5.5% maximum sampling error at 95% confidence level Contacts: Mark Thompson, Director of Sales, Delta Dental of Colorado, , MThompson@ddpco.com Karl Weiss, President, HealthCare Research, , KWeiss@healthcareresearch.com Speaking engagements and media: Kathy Jacoby, Marketing Director, Delta Dental of Colorado, , KJacoby@ddpco.com

3 Key Findings It s a JUMP BALL! Colorado s smallest businesses are considering changing health plans 4 Significant knowledge gaps still exist Only 4% feel knowledgeable about ACA and its impact on employee benefits Half of Colorado businesses with are considering new health plans; compared to % with When it comes to knowledge about ACA, location matters 3% Mountains/West 35% Front Range 5% Denver Metro 6% South/East Percentage of businesses that consider themselves well informed Small businesses are feeling the impact of the Affordable Care Act Awareness of the SHOP* is low, but the program has potential in 4 say ACA has impacted employee benefits a great deal unaware of the SHOP today 63% 57% would consider using SHOP in 06 AC A *Small Business Health Options Program The smaller the business, the greater the impact B R OKE R 54% 39% say ACA impacted benefits offerings 6% 9% less coverage/options 4% switched insurance More change is expected in 06 57% said they expect to see an even greater impact next year. say brokers are more important with ACA 5 Despite the changes, small businesses say benefits are becoming MORE IMPORTANT in the future $ increased cost 3 rely on brokers say ACA impacted benefits offerings Increased cost is the top impact small business owners report 68% 93% Brokers stock is on the rise + = 57% 3% more impact no change 0% 86% of small businesses consider employee benefits to be very or extremely important 6% of small businesses say benefits will become more important over the next 3-5 years 50% cite ability to attract talent as the reason for increased importance don t know % unsure HELP WANTED

4 Small Business Values Dental Benefits Pediatric dental insurance is now of the 0 essential health benefits that must be included in all ACA compliant health insurance plans because of the vital role dental health plays in overall health. Dental insurance is the most popular offering Currently Offered Dental Vision 9% 0% 77% Will start offering 65% Life Disability 7% 7% 69% 63% (within years) 6% 6% currently offer dental insurance will start offering within years 94% 33% currently offer dental insurance will start offering within years (of those not currently offering) (of those not currently offering) 69% of small businesses say dental benefits are extremely or very important 69% say dental benefits are important 8 of 0 HR directors say dental insurance is important 5CEOsof 0 say dental insurance is important

5 Brokers Stock is on the Rise! 68% of small businesses say brokers are MORE IMPORTANT with ACA The larger the business, the more important the broker. 93% rely on brokers to navigate options 60% B R OKE R of HR directors say that broker is now More Important 70% of CEOs say that broker is now More Important 60% of managers say that broker is now More Important HALF of all small businesses are considering changing health plans Half of Colorado businesses with are considering new health plans; compared to % with 3 say that broker is now More Important 75% HR directors in particular view brokers as important 75% say that broker is now More Important Small businesses are making health benefits decisions sooner and doing more research 8% are making decisions sooner 5% are making 49% are spending more time researching options in 05 than 04 decisions sooner 30% are spending more time researching options in 05 than 04

6 SHOP s Potential Awareness of the state s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is low 57% unaware of the SHOP today 4% Mountains/West 53% Front Range 45% Denver Metro Awareness is lowest in southern Colorado % South/East Small businesses are considering the SHOP as an option for the future 63% 3 would consider using SHOP in 06 Top reasons for considering the SHOP It sounds reasonable 33% Possible cost savings 3% Gives me more choices for employees 9% Takes me out of the middle 3% Percentages exceed 00% due to multi-responses.