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Health Affairs, Vol 18, Issue 6, 28-44
Copyright © 1999 by Project HOPE

Journal Article

Individual versus job-based health insurance: weighing the pros and cons

M Pauly, A Percy, and B Herring

Although the majority of insured Americans receive their health insurance through their employers, some depend on the individual health insurance market. However, with increased criticism of the lack of choice in group coverage and various proposals including subsidies or tax credits to decrease the number of uninsured, the individual market may start to play a larger role. In this paper we conclude that although efficient large-group insurance will appropriately continue to exist, the individual market appears to be improving, in both administrative cost and protection against high premiums associated with high risk. For diverse workers now in small groups with little plan choice, the individual market might become a reasonable alternative.

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