More than half of consumers need help understanding their health
DALLAS — While the healthcare industry focuses on consumer confusion about benefits, it's the ability to understand and interpret personal health information that may be the larger issue. Although 78% of consumers say it's relatively easy to access information about their plan benefits, 53% feel it's not so easy to either understand their personal health information or understand what they need to do to maintain or improve their health, or both, according to a January 2015 HealthMine survey of 562 consumers with company-sponsored health plans.
"Our ability to track and report more health data than ever before isn't necessarily helping consumers improve their health," suggested Bryce Williams, president and CEO of HealthMine. "We need to close the gap between data collection and meaningful interpretation. Consumers are calling for more support and direction in reaching health goals, and it's important for employers, payers and other health plan sponsors to help."
The HealthMine survey reveals that consumers want more guidance on their health than they're currently getting from health plan sponsors. For example:
85% of people want to know if they have health risks for developing chronic conditions;
37% of people don't know what cancer screenings they need to get and how often;
55% want help from their healthcare plan in setting personal health goals;
30% want to track their goals monthly, another 26% want daily or weekly tracking; and
65% want their health plan to send them reminders about critical health actions, such as prescription refills and annual health exams.
This is consistent with previously published findings in that 71% of consumers desire help from their companies in the form of programs and guidelines for health management. Additionally, more than 75% of respondents believe an incentive level would motivate them to take action to improve their health towards personal goals or needs.
The survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International from Jan. 29 to 30, 2015.