Survey commissioned by eHealth, the parent company of eHealthInsurance, has revealed that consumers in US lack a basic understanding of even the most common health insurance terms as well as the particulars of their own health insurance coverage.
The nationwide telephone survey of 1,010 US adults, to rate their understanding of health insurance terms and their own policy, has found that 71% know their plan’s co-payment, and 60% know their deductible. Even though PPOs are the most common type of health insurance offered by US employers, only a fifth know what PPO stands for and on the other hand, women tend to be the healthcare decision makers for their families, but one in 10 women admitted to having ‘no idea’ what the terminology in their policy means.
The survey has indicated that Americans are comfortable seeking information about health coverage online, with more than a third saying they would use the internet for information about health insurance if they weren’t already assisted by an employer or government program.
Sam Gibbs, senior vice president of eHealth, said: It’s clear Americans lack a basic understanding of health insurance terms, which may prevent them from selecting the health plan best suited to their individual needs. But as costs increase and responsibility for coverage shifts to the individual, these terms are becoming increasingly relevant to consumers’ daily lives and their well-being.