Workers scrutinize health plans more closely

Americans are spending more time reviewing what their health benefits offer as the time of year approaches when employers allow workers to choose their plans for the coming 12 months, a UnitedHealthcare survey shows.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans say the national dialogue on health care has encouraged them to review their health benefits more closely during this year’s open-enrollment period, according to a new survey by UnitedHealthcare.

Survey respondents said that in the past they only spent an hour or less reviewing their benefit options, which affect some of their most important health care needs.

Fall is the most common time of the year when employers ask their employees to review and select their benefit options for the upcoming year.

“Open enrollment season is a great learning opportunity, but that learning environment must be a two-way street,” said Austin Pittman, UnitedHealthcare’s chief growth officer who also leads the company’s open enrollment activities. “Just as we encourage people to closely examine their health benefits and ask questions, it’s also important that employers and insurers communicate clearly about the different options that are available. Consumers who better understand their health care options make better health decisions, which can lead to better personal health and well-being.”

UnitedHealthcare’s national survey – conducted via telephone with nearly 1,000 adults age 18 or older and who receive their health coverage through their or a family member’s employer – also found that:

• More than one-third (40 percent) of respondents – and 48 percent of 18-34 year olds – report they only “somewhat” understand their health benefits but want to learn more, or do not understand them at all.
• Seventy-seven percent say their employer can improve the open-enrollment process by using simpler language to describe benefits. Sixty-nine percent say they would like their employers to provide new types of educational materials, such as interactive or multimedia.
• Respondents’ top-two preferred methods for learning about their health benefits are through brochures or print materials that describe their benefits (31 percent) and an easy-to-understand website that teaches them about their benefits (29 percent). Among 18-34 year olds, a website is the most preferred method (44 percent).