CONSUMERISM IN HEALTH SURVEY

The Commonwealth Fund teamed up with the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) to publish the results of an annual, Internet-based survey on the experiences of enrollees in health plans with different levels of cost-sharing.

The past three surveys all claimed enrollees are not as satisfied with consumer-driven health care (CDHC) plans as those in comprehensive plans. However, satisfaction has improved somewhat in the most recent survey:

• Satisfaction rates were similar for the quality of care received (71% in CDHC plans compared to 74% in comprehensive plans).
  
• Satisfaction with physician network was also very similar across both plans (76% CDHC; 74% comprehensive plan).
  
• Overall, enrollees in comprehensive plans reported being more satisfied (92% claimed to be "extremely" or "very" or "somewhat" satisfied vs. 85% in CDHC plans).
  

What supposedly most annoyed CDHC enrollees was higher out-of-pocket spending: Twice as many were dissatisfied with out-of-pocket spending (43%) compared to those enrolled in comprehensive plans (21%). Yet, nearly two-thirds of CDHC enrollees (63%) reported having a choice of health plan, compared to only 54% of those in comprehensive plans.

When asked why people chose their plans: Some 51% of CDHC enrollees reported lower cost of premiums; 46% because they could save money and rollover later use; 28% of CDHC enrollees liked the ability to control their own health care dollars. Of those in comprehensive plans; 41% chose the plan for its low cost-sharing, while 29% chose it for low premiums; controlling their own funds and savings for the future was negligible to them.

Source: Paul Fronstin and Sara R. Collins, "Findings From the 2007 EBRI/Commonwealth Fund Consumerism in Health Survey," Employee Benefits Research Institute, Issue Brief No. 315, March 2008.