Over the past decade, the percentage of Americans getting healthinsurance through their employers has been on the decline, atrend that has likely been accelerated by the availability ofindividual plans offered by the Patient Protection and AffordableCare Act. But most are still not seriously considering gettingcoverage sponsored by hospitals or health systems.

A study by Valence Health, a consultancy for providers andadvocate for provider-sponsored coverage, found that most peopleare unaware of provider-backed care and are unsure of whether itrepresents a potential alternative to their currentcoverage.

When asked whether they would be likely to switch to a planoffered by their local hospital or health system,only 13 percent said "somewhat likely" and 8 percent said "verylikely."

In contrast, 28 percent said "very unlikely" and 7 percent said"somewhat unlikely." And 44 percent of respondents said they wereunsure.

Most people simply don't know what to think of provider-backedplans. When asked whether the quality of care in aprovider-backed plan would be higher or lower, nearly two-thirds ofrespondents — 65 percent — said they were unsure. Thirteen percentsaid they believed it would be somewhat higher, while the samepercentage believed it would be somewhat lower.

Similarly, 55 percent said they were unsure of whetherprovider-sponsored insurance would lower costs. Twenty-six percentbelieved it would either be more expensive, while 19 percentbelieved it would be cheaper.

Finally, only a third of respondents said they believed gettingcoverage through their provider would mean better coordination ofcare, while 24 percent said they didn't believe it would result inbetter coordination and 44 percent said they didn't know.