# KFF’s Decades-Long Survey Tracks Evolving Landscape of Employer-Sponsored health Insurance
A complete, annual survey by KFF provides critical insights into teh trends, costs, and challenges of employer-provided health insurance, dating back to 1987.
For over three decades, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) has meticulously tracked the state of employer-sponsored health insurance in the United States. This ongoing research, beginning in 1987 and conducted annually since 1999, offers a uniquely detailed picture of how businesses – both private and public – navigate the complexities of providing health benefits to their employees. The survey examines not only the prevalence of coverage but also the escalating cost of health insurance and emerging issues impacting this vital component of the American healthcare system.
the KFF survey focuses on employers with three or more workers, utilizing a nationally representative sample of those with ten or more employees. Data is collected from employers who complete the full survey, as well as those who simply indicate whether or not they offer health coverage, ensuring a broad and accurate depiction of the market.
Historical Context and Methodology
The current KFF survey builds upon a rich history of data collection. From 1991 to 1998,the survey was conducted by KPMG,and prior to that,from 1987 to 1991,by the Health Insurance Association. This long-term perspective allows for a robust analysis of trends over time.
however, the methodology hasn’t remained static. KFF acknowledges updates to its weighting calculations in both 2003 and 2011.In 2003,new estimates were released for statistics published between 1999 and 2002,with most changes proving statistically insignificant. Similarly, an update in 2011 affected statistics related to the percentage of firms offering benefits or retiree coverage, though data on the percentage of covered workers remained unaffected. According to KFF, “Most changes were not statistically different.” Detailed explanations of these methodological adjustments can be found in the Survey Design and Methods sections of the respective reports.
accessing the Data: A Comprehensive Archive
KFF provides public access to its extensive archive of survey reports,spanning multiple years. Currently, reports are available from 2025 back to 1998, with earlier data available from the previous conducting organizations.
Here’s a chronological listing of available reports:
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998
This wealth of data serves as an invaluable resource for policymakers, researchers, employers, and anyone seeking to understand the evolving dynamics of employer-sponsored health insurance in the United States. The continued commitment to this annual survey ensures a consistent and reliable source of information for years to come.
