For any employers leaning toward letting workers shop for health coverage in state-run exchanges come 2014, there’s encouraging news from a recent survey from Extend Health.

Fresh off the Independence Day holiday, EH reports that in a survey of 520 retirees who use a health insurance exchange to choose private Medicare plans, 67% say they have health care independence.

When asked to define health care independence, retirees’ responded:  

I can find plans that let me go to the doctors I want to see (48%).
I have choices about the health care plans I buy (43%).
I can choose how to spend the money my former employer gives me for health care benefits (37%).
I can freely compare plans and prices from different health insurers (34%).
I can get the plan that is right for me at a price I can afford (30%).
I can find plans that help pay for the prescription drugs I need (27%).
I can get find a plan that is right for me no matter where in the United States I live (18%).

Now, that’s not to say all age groups will favor exchanges the way this group of seniors appears to. But all the same, don’t these results do your patriotic, cost-containment-loving heart good?

Do you think these results can translate to the wider employee population? If so, do you think it will influence your company’s decision to pay or play? Leave you thoughts in the comments.