77% of US Workers Worry About Medical Costs: BenefitHub Report

According to a recent study conducted by BenefitHub, nearly 8 in 10 US employees spend an hour or less selecting their workplace benefits, while fewer than 3 in 10 believe their current coverage adequately protects their family’s financial security.

The study titled 2026 Open Enrollment Report: How U.S. Employees Choose Voluntary Benefits is based on a survey of nearly 13,000 US workers highlight a gap between employees’ financial concerns and their confidence in choosing the right coverage.

The BenefitHub latest report found that 77% of employees worry about out-of-pocket medical costs, while 73% are concerned about their ability to pay bills if an illness or injury prevents them from working for 3 months or more. Yet only 28% believe their current benefits adequately protect their family’s financial security.

The findings also point to limited support during open enrollment. Nearly 8 in 10 employees spend an hour or less selecting benefits, while 45% consult no one during the process. This leaves many workers making consequential decisions without seeking guidance on whether their coverage meets their needs.

“Our research tells a consistent story: employees are anxious about their financial future, and open enrollment is often when those concerns become real decisions,” said Jeff Litvack, CEO of BenefitHub.

“The challenge isn’t that workers don’t care about their benefits. It’s that they’re being asked to make complex choices without enough clarity to judge what’s right for them and their families. In a year marked by financial anxiety, clarity may be the most valuable benefit employers can provide,” he added.

Sarah Oliver, executive vice-president of voluntary products at BenefitHub, said employers’ investments in benefits deliver value only when employees understand their options.

“Simpler comparisons, clear language and guidance available all year, not just for a few weeks each fall, turn a benefits package into real financial protection for working families,” Oliver said.

The report underscores the importance of making benefits information easier to understand and providing employees with guidance beyond the annual enrollment window, particularly as medical expenses and income disruption remain key financial concerns.