With open enrollment underway, new worker survey data from Howdy.com spotlights growing concern among full-time workers—even those with employer-provided insurance.
In a survey of 900+ employees:
- 43% say they’re worried about affording 2026 premiums
- Only 54% have plans fully covered by their employer
- Those who contribute pay an average of $300/month this year
- 1 in 3 delayed care in 2025 due to cost, despite being insured
- Nearly two thirds (64%) say their wages haven’t kept up with inflation
- 43% worry about affording health insurance premiums in 2026
- 1 in 3 delayed medical care in 2025 due to cost
- Over 1 in 3 would face financial hardship despite insurance coverage in case of medical emergency
- Over 2 in 5 also say their dental coverage is only affordable if they stick to cleanings and cavities
- While overall benefit satisfaction is at 3.8 out of 5 stars, workers crave more pay (72%) and PTO (55%); roughly 1 in 4 also claim their workload is too high.
The survey also found 40% of workers would prioritize fully-covered medical care over other benefits. Some would even accept lower pay in exchange for socialized healthcare.
