Open enrollment remains a key moment in how workers and families make health coverage decisions, yet the process is often shaped by limited time, limited resources, and growing affordability concerns. This EBRI Fast Fact takes a closer look at how privately insured adults approach plan selection, what information sources they rely on, and how they view the open enrollment experience. For those following health benefits, consumer decision making, and enrollment trends, the analysis offers timely perspective on an important part of the coverage process.
Figure 2 Please rate your satisfaction with each of the following aspects More information about the EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey can be of your health insurance plan selection process. found online. Extremely Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Not Too/Not at All Satisfied The 2025 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey was an online survey of 2,001 Americans ages 21 – June 4, 2026, #556 2024 61% 27% 12% 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 Association, Cigna Healthcare, HealthEquity, Inspira Financial, Johnson & Johnson, Segal, TIAA, and 2025 57% 31% 13% WEX. Most Spend Under an Hour Choosing a Plan, as 2024 47% 32% 22% The Employee Benefit Satisfaction With Research Institute is a priv Affo ate, non rdab partisan, a le Optio nd nonprofit resea ns Decl rch institu ines te base d in Washington, D.C., that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and economic security issues. EBRI does not lobby 2025 34% 43% 24% and does not take policy positions. The work of EBRI is made possible by funding from its members and The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care sponsors, which include a broad range of public and private organizations. For more information, visit Survey found that most enrollees spent relatively little time choosing a health plan during open enrollment. 2024 62% 28% 11% www.ebri.org. About one-half spent less than one hour reviewing their options, and most spent under two hours. Automatic re- 2025 56% 31% 13% Greenwald Research is a leading independent custom research firm and consulting partner to the health and enrollment remained common among traditional plan enrollees. wealth industries that applies creative quantitative and qualitative methods to help companies stay competitive and navigate in20 du 24 stry change. Leveragi 46% ng deep subject matter expertise and 29% a consultative appr25% oach, Greenwald offers comprehensive services to answer strategic business questions. For more information, go to Figure 1 www.greenwaldresearch.com 2025 34% 34% 32% About how much time did you spend making a health insurance decision? 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% ### 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Traditional High Deductible 30% Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. 27% Emplo 25yee b % enefits guides remained the most commonly used resource when selecting a health plan, especially 24% 23% among high-deductible plan enrollees. While a variety of tools and resources are available, most consumers relied 22% on a limited set of information sources when making plan decisions. 20% 20% Figure 3 17% Tools/Resources Used to Help Make a 15% Decision During Open Enrollment 13% Among those who enroll through an employer, top 6 shown 12% Traditional High Deductible 10% 9% 8% 8% 47% Annual Employee Benefits Guide From Employer 59% 5% 5% 4% 3% 38% Employee Benefits Online Portal 44% 0% I Took No Action Less Than 5 5 –29 Minutes 30 Minutes to an 1 –2 Hours 3 –4 Hours 5+ Hours 31% and Was O Mi nlnu ine Re tes search Hour 29% Automatically Re- Enrolled Source: 2025 EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care 22% Survey. Employer-Provided Educational Videos 33% 15% Friends and Family Consultations Satisfaction with the open enrollment process remained high. Most adults reported being satisfied with the ease of 18% plan selection and the information available to them during open enrollment. However, satisfaction with the availability of affordable plan options and the number of plans to choose from declined in 2025, which could be 16% HR/Benefits Department Consultations related to affordability more generally. 15% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 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 Availability of Affordable Health Number of Health Plans to Choose Plans From High Deductible Traditional High Deductible Traditional