September 30, 2003 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Health care plans in 2003

The proportion of employees covered by employer-sponsored medical care plans in private industry has fallen gradually over the last decade. In March 2003, 45 percent of employees had elected medical care coverage, down from 63 percent in 1992-3.

Percent of workers participating in health care benefits, private industry, National Compensation Survey, March 2003
[Chart data—TXT]

The large majority of employees covered by medical care plans were in plans requiring employee contributions. Employee contributions to medical care premiums averaged $228.98 per month for family coverage and $60.24 for single coverage. 

Smaller proportions of employees participated in dental care and vision care coverage than medical care coverage. About a third had dental coverage and about a fifth had vision care coverage.

These data are from the BLS National Compensation Survey program.  Learn more in Employee Benefits in Private Industry, 2003 (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 03-489.

 

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