COVID-19 job losses could drive down employer plan enrollment by as much as 35M, report shows

Fierce Healthcare April 3, 2020
Paige Minemyer

As many as 35 million people could drop out of employer-sponsored coverage amid COVID-19, according to a new analysis.

Health Management Associates estimates that between 12 million and 25 million people will lose coverage through their employers as unemployment skyrockets nationwide. The Department of Labor reported that 6.6 million people filed for unemployment last week alone.

HMA projects enrollment changes in three scenarios depending on how much the unemployment rate increases: 10% unemployment, 17.5% unemployment or 25% unemployment. In the first scenario, enrollment in employer plans would decline from 163 million to 151 million.

In tandem, Medicaid enrollment would likely increase from 71 million to 82 million. Marketplace coverage would likely stay on par with between 12 million and 13...

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