A newly released ADP Research Institute survey reveals that a majority of Human Resource and benefits decision makers at U.S. companies of all sizes believe the U.S. health care landscape is going through profound change.  In addition, a significant number of these decision makers expressed a lack of confidence that their organizations clearly understand their new responsibilities under the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The study also found that preparedness for key upcoming ACA regulations varies greatly across different sized companies.

ADP recently surveyed more than 800 Human Resource and benefits decision makers in U.S. organizations of all sizes in order to gauge employers' attitudes and behaviors regarding the future of health care benefits in general and impending ACA regulations in particular.  While decision makers at small businesses (1-49 employees) were the most vocal in confirming their belief that the U.S. health care landscape is undergoing profound change (64 percent), 52 percent of their counterparts at midsized (50-999 employees) and large (1000+ employees) organizations hold the same view. 

"The ADP Research Institute's recent survey clearly shows that confusion and lack of preparedness surrounding ACA provisions is a widespread issue for U.S. companies of every size, although small and midsized companies seem particularly challenged," said Jan Siegmund, Chief Strategy Officer of ADP.  "For example, our study shows that half or more of small and midsized companies are unprepared to meet the newly-required summary of benefits and coverage required by the ACA."

According to the ADP Research Institute survey, just 40 percent of respondents from large organizations are very confident about their understanding of employer requirements under the ACA, while even fewer respondents in small companies (20 percent) and midsized companies (17 percent) expressed that same level of confidence.  Moreover, a majority of Human Resource and benefits decision makers at small and midsized companies (67 percent and 62 percent respectively) indicated they are unaware of the upcoming employee notification requirement about public exchanges.  Thirty-two percent of survey respondents from large organizations indicated a similar lack of awareness.

In terms of being ready to provide the newly required summary of benefits and coverage, 66 percent of large companies, 50 percent of midsized companies and just 31 percent of small businesses say they are prepared.

To view these and other key findings from the study, please visit: http://www.adp.com/pdf/KeyFindingsShiftingUSHealthcareLandscape.pdf