AHRQ Stats

Employees working at lower-wage workplaces in 2012 paid a larger share of the total premium for single, employee-plus-one and family health coverage than those working for higher-wage employers. (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Statistical Brief #436: Comparing Health Insurance Coverage and Costs for Employees in Lower-Wage versus Higher-Wage Establishments, Private Sector, 2012.)

STATISTICAL BRIEF #436:
Comparing Health Insurance Coverage and Costs for Employees in Lower-Wage versus Higher-Wage Establishments, Private Sector, 2012

April 2014

William A. Carroll, M.A. and Beth Levin Crimmel, M.S.

Highlights

In 2012, employees in lower-wage private-sector establishments were less likely to be working where health insurance was offered compared to employees at higher-wage establishments (71.4 percent versus 90.5 percent, respectively).
Among those establishments that offered health insurance, only one-third of employees in lower-wage establishments enrolled compared to slightly more than two-thirds of the employees in higher-wage establishments.
Employees working in lower-wage establishments paid a larger share of the total premium for single, employee-plus-one, and family plans than did employees in higher-wage establishments.