How Has COVID-19 Affected Health Insurance Offered by Small Businesses in the U.S.? Early Evidence from a Survey

Leemore S. Dafny; Yin Wei   Soon; Zoë  Cullen; Christopher T. Stanton

Comment | NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery | Forthcoming

How Has COVID-19 Affected Health Insurance Offered by Small Businesses in the U.S.? Early Evidence from a Survey

by Leemore S. Dafny, Yin Wei Soon, Zoë Cullen and Christopher T. Stanton

Abstract

As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches toward its third quarter, loss of health insurance coverage has not figured prominently in the public debate. Data in this report demonstrate why that is, but also suggest that the apparent stability is fragile, with potentially profound implications for the health care delivery system. We analyze the results of a survey of small U.S. businesses conducted in late June 2020. We find 60% offered health insurance coverage before the COVID-19 pandemic, and virtually all of those (95%) continued to do so as of June 15. However, nearly one-third of these respondents indicated they were not sure they could continue to pay premiums beyond another two months, raising the specter of significant coverage disruption by early fall. Only 5% reported receiving relief from insurers in the form of premium reductions. Additional steps by insurers and policymakers are necessary to forestall a large reduction and disruption in coverage.

Keywords: Health Pandemics; Health Care and Treatment; Insurance; Small Business; Surveys; United States;

Format: Electronic

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Citation:

Dafny, Leemore S., Yin Wei Soon, Zoë Cullen, and Christopher T. Stanton. "How Has COVID-19 Affected Health Insurance Offered by Small Businesses in the U.S.? Early Evidence from a Survey." NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery (forthcoming). (Pre-published online August 14, 2020. Commentary.)

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How Has COVID-19 Affected Health Insurance Offered by Small Businesses in the U.S.? Early Evidence from a Survey

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