According to Market Strategies International, the results are eye opening and could severely impact a sizeable number of US workers and their families–potentially 10 million people no longer having access to health benefits through their employers in 2014. A significant number of employers reported, with health care reform, it may not benefit them competitively to offer employee health care benefits. The reality is that companies of all sizes are reviewing their options and considering reductions. Here are some notable findings regarding 2014 employer health benefits intentions:

Among companies currently offering health care benefits (covering 92 percent of all workers):
76 percent will continue to do so
15 percent will offer coverage to some full-time employees
9 percent will stop doing so
Among companies currently not offering health care benefits (covering 8 percent of all workers):
28 percent will begin to offer them in 2014
19 percent will begin to offer coverage to some full-time employees
53 percent will not begin to offer health care benefits
Taken in total, there will be an estimated 10% net decline in access to employer-sponsored health benefits as of January, 2014. (13 percent of U.S. workers will lose employer-sponsored benefits; 3 percent will gain employer-sponsored benefits.)

Many small and large firms see the availability of coverage to employees through Exchanges as the potential to exit the health benefits arena without leaving employees lacking in coverage options. For some large firms, in particular, there is a desire to pay to walk away, according to Marketing Strategies International. When employers see what the bottom line is to implement health care on a global scale, you can bet they will be evaluating the merits of coverage for marginal employees, and for "non-essential" or voluntary benefits. That spells more cost for individual employees and their families. The sky isn't falling yet, but Chicken Little may have had some keen insight.

Instant Insights /

Benefits dropping like flies

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