A Note on Methodology

The 2012 Survey on Employer Health Benefit Plans and Preferences
Conducted by the Oliver Wyman Health & Life Sciences Practice

Overview

Oliver Wyman conducted an online survey of 1,329 executives responsible for making decisions on healthcare benefits programs at a representative sample of US companies. The survey was fielded between Thanksgiving and Christmas 2011 and used segmentation and tradeoff questions to explore how companies’ approaches to healthcare benefits were likely to change with the full implementation of US healthcare reform and what factors would have a significant impact on them. In addition, we surveyed 738 employees at a similar array of companies to determine how their attitudes matched with the attitudes and expectations of employers.

Sample

We made use of a major online panel: a business-only panel with triple opt-in participation and verification of business role. We selected potential respondents in four states: New York, Michigan, California, and Texas. This not only provided regional geographical representation, but it also permitted us to compare states with high current levels of insurance regulation (New York and Michigan) and states with low levels (California and Texas).

For specific companies, we used quotas to obtain sufficient samples by employer size and employee income (see chart on Page 2). In addition, we included both high-turnover industries such as retail and food service and lower-turnover industries.

Response rate and statistical significance

Overall sample, 18% response rate. The panel company provided standard incentives only. Panelists did not know the subject matter until they passed the qualifier questions. No company or brand names were used. We are 95% confident that the sample in our employer survey represents the business population of the United States, +/- 2.7%. We are 95% confident that the sample in our employee survey represents the population of the United States, +/- 3.5%.

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