Released: November 30, 2006

No confidence in consumer-driven health care plans

Source: Christopher Lee, Washington Post (Free Registration)

People in a new kind of health plan that makes consumers pay for a bigger share of their care appear to be more cost-conscious than those in traditional plans, but half say they would switch if they had the chance, according to a survey released yesterday.

The survey of 1,389 people by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation found that 71 percent of those in the new “consumer-directed health plans” said the policies prompted them to consider cost when seeking health care, compared with 49 percent of those with more traditional employer-sponsored coverage.

For instance, people in the new plans were more likely to ask about the cost of a doctor’s visit and inquire about the availability of lower-cost alternatives in treatments and tests. More than half, 55 percent, who sought care said the new plans have changed their approach to using health care.

Such findings are in line with assertions by the Bush administration and other advocates who say that the new plans will check spiraling health-care spending by giving consumers a financial incentive to shop around for the best care at a reasonable price—and to get only the care they need.

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