Women and younger individuals are more likely to seek information on healthcare costs, quality and access after experiencing an increase in premiums or cost-sharing, according to a report from the Employee Benefits Research Institute.
"As companies shift healthcare costs to the individual, people are looking for ways to improve their quality of care while controlling costs," said Paul Fronstin, director of EBRI's Health Research and Education Program and author of the report. "And they are researching information that will benefit them and help them make educated choices."
[See also: CMS launches first phase of Physician Compare website; EBRI research shows growth in HSA, HRA use]
The report – which also indicated people with a high level of education are more likely to research healthcare information – is based on analysis of the EBRI/MGA 2010 Health Confidence Survey. The survey provides data on a broad range of health topics, including satisfaction with healthcare, confidence in the future of the healthcare system and Medicare, and attitudes toward healthcare reform.
Overall, 45 percent of survey respondents reported researching specific treatments, while 14 percent tried to find information about any disciplinary action taken against a doctor or hospital. Roughly one-quarter reported trying to find treatment cost information. Of those, 28 percent researched cost information of different treatments and 24 percent compared costs of different doctors and hospitals.
Other findings from the report:
- People under age 45 were more likely than those 65 or older to seek information about different treatment options, the costs of different treatments, the costs of different doctors and hospitals and disciplinary action taken against a doctor or hospital.
- Those who said they are in fair or poor health were more likely to report trying to find information on the number and success rate of procedures performed at a hospital.
- Among those who reported that their health status had gotten worse during the past five years, 52 percent reported they tried to find information about the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments.
- The uninsured were more likely than those with coverage to search for information about treatment costs and provider costs.
- Individuals not satisfied with their health plan were more likely than those who were extremely or very satisfied to seek information about treatment costs and provider costs, and they were more likely to search for information about the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments.
For more information on the report from EBRI, click here.