This is why Americans are turning down their dream job: the survey

A new poll has found that one in three Americans would turn down a dream job if it didn’t offer good health insurance options.

The survey of 2,000 American adults found that three-quarters (73%) consider health care options an important factor if they were looking for a new job, and 63% would not be afraid to ask about their options during a job interview.

However, given the state of importance placed on health care by Americans, 42% believe their employer offers them only the bare minimum for health insurance options. In fact, 44% believe they would have better health options if the issue were brought to their employer’s attention.

With benefits enrollment season upon us, the study, commissioned by Tres Health and conducted by Talker Research, found that many find their health care lacking or unaffordable — in fact, 42% said they would even change jobs if a potential new employer were to offer. better health care options than they currently have.

Forty-two percent who reported that they were currently employed believe that their current employer does not care about their health or the health of their colleagues. This was especially true for those who reported an income below $60,000.

Of the sample, nearly 40% are employed in blue-collar industries, and 72% of Americans reported having a household income of less than $60,000.

Forty-four percent of them believe that their employer does not care about their health; compared to only 36% of respondents earning over $60,000 per year.

Affordability was found to be another top issue for respondents. When asked what the maximum amount they could afford for an unexpected health or medical expense out of pocket, nearly half (48%) said they could only afford under $100.

And when asked how much they’d be willing to spend extra per month for their health plan, 37% said they couldn’t afford more than they already pay, even if paying extra meant they were offered more coverage .

Respondents also said they believe their primary health care plan should include dental (67%), vision (64%), hospital stays (59%), better prescription drug coverage (57%) and mental and behavioral health coverage (55%).

“Traditional health plans today cater more to a certain working-class population and many times, leave employees behind, especially those who work for small or blue-collar employers,” said Ari Rostowsky, Managing Partner, Tres Health. “But it’s important to know that other alternative forms of health insurance are out there that offer employers quality options for their employees at an affordable price.”

The study found that when choosing a health care plan, people tend to prioritize the amount of money they will pay.

They look for plans that offer low/no copays (50%), low prescription costs (46%), low deductible costs (46%), and low premium costs (45%).

More than four in 10 (41%) admitted they had been in a position where they could not afford healthcare costs and 30% admitted they were currently in medical debt.

Of those with debt, the average person owes nearly $6,000 in medical expenses.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), every employer must offer employees Minimum Essential Coverage and cover at least 60% of the cost of the plan.

Some employers offer minimum essential coverage (MEC) plans or minimum value plans (MVP) that cover basic services. But it’s up to the employer how comprehensive they want these plans to be and at what cost to employees.

Among the respondents, the following services are the most valuable: doctor’s services (60%), free preventive care (44%), laboratory services (44%), emergency services (41%), hospital services (37 %) and Telehealth (28%).

“Every health plan option should offer some form of basic and preventive care at a price that employees are comfortable with,” explained Mike Feeney, Managing Partner, Tres Health. “If employees don’t feel comfortable using their plans, or don’t understand them, the state of health care and its cost will only get worse for all of us as chronic conditions and co-morbidities continue to rise. Your health plan should give you peace of mind—not take it away from you.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans of the general population; the survey was commissioned by Tres Health and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between October. 10 and October. 14, 2024.