Americans value health insurance the most when making career moves

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

HEALTH INSURANCE IS THE NUMBER ONE DECIDING FACTOR IN PEOPLE’S NEXT CAREER STEP, ACCORDING TO NEW RESEARCH FROM OSCAR HEALTH.

YET MOST WITH EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE SAY IT DOESN’T MEET THEIR NEEDS VERY WELL. 

THAT’S ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY OF 2,000 AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHICH FOUND THAT JUST OVER HALF (51%) SAID THEY HAVE A HEALTH CONDITION OR HEALTH CONCERN.

SO DO CONSUMERS WANT A DIFFERENT OPTION THAN TRADITIONAL EMPLOYER INSURANCE?

THE ANSWER IS YES, ACCORDING TO THE STUDY, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH. 

MANY PEOPLE (44%) WANT AN ALTERNATIVE MODEL OFFERED IN THE INDIVIDUAL MARKET, CALLED I-C-H-R-A, WHERE EMPLOYERS PROVIDE ALLOWANCES TO EMPLOYEES WHO CHOOSE THEIR OWN PLANS. 

THIS WAS THE MOST POPULAR OPTION BASED ON THE STUDY FINDINGS, AND WAS MORE FAVORED THAN TRADITIONAL EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE (33%). 

WHAT ABOUT YOU? IS YOUR EMPLOYER HEALTH INSURANCE HITTING THE MARK OR ARE YOU HOPING FOR A CHANGE?

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Oscar Health and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31, 2025. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.