Idaho Companies Still Low on List for Offering Health Insurance

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A new national study shows Idaho is again ranked among states with the lowest percentage of companies that offer workers employer-sponsored health insurance. Idaho ranks 4th nationally — trailing Alaska, Montana and Wyoming — with just 43 percent of the state's employers providing workers insurance.

The report released Thursday was published by the University of Minnesota's State Health Access Data Assistance Center. The new numbers represent an uptick from last year's figures, when only 41 percent offered insurance. Among businesses with 50 employees or less, the study shows Idaho ranks second lowest behind Alaska, with only 28 percent of small companies in Idaho offering the benefit.

For companies offering coverage for employee family members, workers on average pay 31 percent of their premiums — the nation's third highest employee-contribution requirement.