Fewer employers offering health insurance

As open enrollment for health insurance occurs this month at many companies, a new study shows fewer employers are offering health benefits. And among those that do still offer coverage, a larger number are asking employees to cough up more in the form of higher deductibles, co-pays or premiums.

Much of that change is being driven by the slow economy, as businesses look to cut costs wherever possible.

That’s what happened at the Homebuilders Association of Metro Orlando, which reduced all of its benefits due to the economic downturn, said Executive Director Beth McGee. The trade association still offers its 11 full-time employees health insurance, but it switched to higher deductible plans.

Employer-sponsored health insurance has declined for the past seven years, said an October report released by the Washington D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank.