Consumer perspectives on information needs for health plan choice
Gibbs, D.A.; Sangl, J.A.; Burrus, B.
Health Care Financing Review 18(1): 55-73
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0195-8631 PMID: 10165037 Document Number: 460595
The premise that competition will improve health care assumes that consumers will choose plans that best fit their needs and resources. However, many consumers are frustrated with currently available plan comparison information. We describe results from 22 focus groups in which Medicare beneficiaries, Medicaid enrollees, and privately insured consumers assessed the usefulness of indicators based on consumer survey data and Health Employer Data Information Set (HEDIS)-type measures of quality of care. Considerable education would be required before consumers could interpret report card data to inform plan choices. Policy implications for design and provision of plan information for Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid enrollees are discussed.