CT Paid Leave Authority reports private-plan metrics; staff to launch anonymous employer survey

Staff presented updated metrics on private plans on July 9, describing participation, exemption lengths, and the need for better information about employer motivations.

Michael said 868 employers currently have active private-plan registrations, but after accounting for related entities by FEIN he estimated roughly 422 unique private plans. Since 2021 the authority has received just over 2,000 private-plan applications; most have been approved, with 8.5% denied and 5% withdrawn. Staff reported about 60,000 employees are covered by private plans, roughly 4% of covered employees in Connecticut.

The presentation highlighted that many private-plan exemptions appear to be for small Connecticut workforces (accounts under 25 employees) and noted limitations in the data because the authority tracks registrations by FEIN; related corporate entities can show as separate registrations. Board members asked staff to break down private-plan participation by employer size and to compare Connecticut’s approach to peer states. Michael said the authority will seek comparators and proposed launching an anonymous, voluntary employer survey after exemptions are approved to collect reasons employers choose private plans, whether experience with the public program is a factor, and whether administrative or product differences drive the choice.

Board members also requested updated information on audits and oversight of private plans; staff said carrier claims audits are nearly complete and that a fuller report on audit findings will be provided soon.

The board did not take a formal vote on private-plan policy changes at the meeting; staff will report back with survey results and audit findings when available.