Employer-Sponsored Coverage Stabilized And Uninsurance Declined In The Second Year Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Health policy
• Public health
• Health economics

Background:

• COVID-19 pandemic and economic instability prompted policy changes to enhance health insurance access.
• Temporary measures aimed to mitigate health coverage gaps among nonelderly adults in the US.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine health coverage trends among nonelderly adults in the US during 2021 and early 2022.
• To assess the impact of policy measures on health insurance acquisition and types of coverage.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Household Pulse Survey, a high-frequency, population-based survey.
• Analyzed trends in health coverage, including public and employer-sponsored insurance, among nonelderly adults.

Main Results:

• An estimated eight million individuals gained health coverage, predominantly through Medicaid and other public programs.
• Employer-sponsored coverage rates remained stable despite increased employment.
• Medicaid expansion states saw significant employment growth among Medicaid enrollees.

Conclusions:

• The end of the public health emergency may lead to Medicaid ineligibility for many, especially in expansion states.
• Policymakers and employers must prepare to assist individuals transitioning from Medicaid to alternative insurance options.
• Facilitating enrollment in Affordable Care Act Marketplace and employer-sponsored plans is essential for continuity of care.