Health coverage sources and the growing prevalence of deductibles remain
central issues in the broader conversation about access, affordability,
and the
employee benefits landscape. This Fast Fact from EBRI and Greenwald Research takes a closer
look at how privately insured adults
are obtaining coverage and how plan
design continues to shape the insurance experience. Drawing on findings
from the 2025 Consumer Engagement in Health
Care Survey, the piece offers timely insights for readers following employment-based health and broader
health care trends.
Mor e information about the EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey can be Figure 2 f ound online. Does your health plan have a deductible for medical care? 2024 2025 The 2025 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey was an online survey of 2,001 Americans ages 21 – 100% 100% May 21, 2026, #555 100% 64 with private health insurance coverage. It was fielded between October and November 2025. The survey is made possible with funding support from the following organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield 90% Association, Cigna Healthcare, HealthEquity, Inspira Financial, Johnson & Johnson, Segal, TIAA, and 77% 80% WEX. 74% Employment-Based Coverage Remains Dominant as 70% 70% 65% The Employee Benef Dedu it Researc ch I tibles B nstitute is a pr ecome ivate, nonpar M tisaore n, and nWidespre onprofit research iad nstit ute based in 60% Washington, D.C., that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and economic security issues. EBRI does not lobby and does not take policy positions. The work of EBRI is made possible by funding from its members and 50% sponsors, which include a broad range of public and private organizations. For more information, visit The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care 40% www.ebri.org. Survey found that the majority of insured individuals still receive health insurance through their employer. 30% Greenwald Research is a leading independent custom research firm and consulting partner to the health and Employment-based health coverage remained the dominant source of health insurance for privately insured adults, wealth i 20% ndustries that applies creative quantitative and qualitative methods to help companies stay competitive with six in 10 receiving coverage through their own job. Coverage patterns have been largely stable, with about and navigate industry change. Leveraging deep subject matter expertise and a consultative approach, Greenwald one-third enrolled in individual-only coverage and most others covering a spouse or partner. 10% offers comprehensive services to answer strategic business questions. For more information, go to www.greenwaldresearch.com 0% Figure 1 Total Traditional High Deductible Which of the following best describes how you obtain your health ### Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. insurance coverage? 70% 2024 2025 61% 60% 60% Enrollment in high-deductible health plans declined slightly in 2025, and enrollment in consumer-directed health plans and health savings accounts (HSAs) appeared to be relatively stable. Non –HSA-eligible high-deductible plans 50 con % tinued to represent a small share of coverage. 40% Figure 3 Percentage of Enrollees in High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and 30% Consumer-Driven Health Plans (CDHPs) 40% CDHP HDHP 21% 20% 20% 34% 35% 11% 11% 31% 32% 8% 8% 10% 30% 28% 28% 28% 27% 26% 26% 25% 15% 25% 24% 24% 24% 0% 25% 12% 13% 23% I Am Enrolled Through My Job I Am Enrolled Through My I Purchase It Directly From a Health I Purchased It Through a State or 9% Spouse's/Partner's Job Insurance Carrier Federal Government 8% Online 13% 14% 11% Marketplace or Exchange, Such as 18% 20% 11% 9% 18% Healthcare.gov 16% 11% 11% Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Cons16% umer Engagement in Health Care Survey. 14% 14% 15% 16% 14% 13% 9% 10% 19% 19% 8% 18% 18% 18% 11% 11% 15% 15% 15% Deductibles remained a common feature of health coverage. More than three-quarters of enrollees had a 14% 14% 13% 13% 5% 8% 10% 10% deductible for medical care, including 70 percent of traditional plan enrollees. The share of traditional plan 7% 7% 5% enrollees with deductibles increased in 2025, reinforcing the idea that exposure to upfront costs is not limited to 4% 3% 3% 1% 1% 0% high-deductible plans. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. © 2026, Employee Benefit Research Institute, 901 D St. SW, Suite 802, Washington, DC 20024, 202/659-0670 | ebri.org 2 3