The Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research and Educational Trust Annual Employer Health Benefits Survey (Kaiser/HRET) is one of the most widely-cited surveys in the field of health policy.  From major newspapers to television networks to policymakers, it is the most commonly quoted source of information about trends in employer-based health insurance, the source of coverage for more than 175 million Americans.

This annual survey reports findings from a telephone survey of randomly selected public and private employers.  The survey asks each participating company as many as 400 questions about its largest health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), point-of service (POS), and high deductible health plan with savings option (HDHP/SO).  The national sample includes about 2100 public and private firms.  The survey includes questions on the cost of health insurance, offer rates, coverage, eligibility, health plan choice, enrollment patterns, premiums, employee cost sharing, covered benefits, prescription drug benefits, retiree health benefits, health management programs, and employer opinions.  Kaiser/HRET draws its sample from a Dun & Bradstreet list of the nation’s employers with three or more workers. The survey is based on previous surveys sponsored by the Health Insurance Association of America from 1987–1990 and KPMG from 1991–1998.

Related Publications:

2008 Employer Health Benefits Survey

2007 Employer Health Benefits Survey