BLOOMFIELD, Conn., July 15, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As consumers assume more control over their health care, a new CIGNA survey shows that many are looking for and using information on cost and quality to help them make decisions. Most agree that they spend time evaluating their health care plan and costs, but a majority of consumers say that even though they'd like to do more research ahead of time, they simply don't know where to find information to help them make health care decisions. The survey also revealed a high level of consumer interest in the concept of health savings accounts.
"We're seeing consumerism taking hold and becoming a basic part of the way many people make day-to-day decisions about their health care," said Tom Croswell, CIGNA HealthCare's senior vice president for Consumerism and Integration. "But it's clear that consumers want and need more information. As interest in consumer-driven health care models grows, the information provided by health plans plays an even greater role."
Consumer Interest in Health Savings Accounts
Overall, consumers expressed a high level of interest in the concept of a health savings account. When presented with a list of possible options for their health care plan, consumers were most likely to report that a plan that includes a savings account would be extremely valuable.
When asked directly about their overall interest in a health savings account, more than two-thirds (67 percent) of those polled said they were at least somewhat interested in such an account. Employees across the age range of 18-59 reported similar levels of overall interest.
CIGNA is offering its CIGNA Choice Fund suite of products, which includes both the company's next generation health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) product and the new federal health savings account (HSA) plan for effective dates of January 1, 2005.
Consumers also found many different possible attributes of a health savings account appealing. More than 8 in 10 consumers said they find the opportunity to secure tax-free earnings or investment income and carryover money from year-to-year to be attractive options. In addition:
-- Eight in 10 said it would be appealing if they could take the account
with them when they change jobs;
-- Sixty-five percent said they would find the opportunity to invest the
money in the account appealing;
-- Nearly 8 in 10 (79 percent) said it would be appealing if they could
use the account to help pay for health care after they retire;
-- More than half said they would find it appealing if the account
included a debit card (57 percent) or checks (52 percent) that they
could carry with them to pay for their share of health care expenses.
While consumers responded favorably to many of the possible attributes of a health savings account, they were divided on the idea of a high deductible plan. Nearly half (48 percent) said they preferred to have a health care plan that costs more through payroll deductions or premiums but has lower deductibles. More than a third (35 percent) said they'd rather have a plan that doesn't cost as much through payroll deductions or premiums, but has higher deductibles. One in five (17 percent) said they weren't sure which they preferred.
"This shows a level of consumer uncertainty about how a health savings account plan would apply in their personal circumstances, but also indicates receptivity to the idea of such an account. It also highlights an opportunity to provide consumers with more choices and information to help them choose a health care plan that's right for them," said Croswell.
Focus on Cost and Quality
Croswell said many consumers reported that they monitor the costs of their health care and, at the same time, are interested in learning more about the quality of the health care they're receiving.
In addition, as consumers are asked to assume greater responsibility for the use of their health care dollars, they are planning ahead. More than two-thirds of those surveyed agreed that they plan ahead by researching costs ahead of time and determining what their health plan covers. Sixty-two percent recognize that their insurance does not cover everything so they pay attention to how much their health care costs. Fifty-eight percent would find it valuable to have data that allows them to forecast how much their medical care will cost in the future so that they can select the right health plan.
"Our role as a leader in this industry is to provide consumers with easy access to reliable information on both cost and quality, presented in a way that's easy to use, and available at the time it's needed," said Croswell. "We're enhancing our online tools, our medical management programs and our health plan products to provide consumers with the knowledge they're clearly seeking."
Additionally, nearly eight in ten survey respondents concurred that they try to get the best value for their health care dollars by balancing the importance of cost and quality before they get care. Seventy percent of consumers said having detailed information about the quality and performance of doctors and hospitals would be valuable; in fact, 42 percent would find this data extremely valuable. Almost 60 percent said having information about treatment options from leading medical sources would be valuable.
Croswell said CIGNA offers an extensive suite of online information and decision support tools through its personalized member web portal, myCIGNA.com. Through the portal, members can compare hospitals, learn more about drug treatment options, and identify providers who have been recognized for quality of care by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
In the coming months, new tools will be added to provide personalized health and benefit information based on each member's demographic profile, health benefits, health status and risk factors, personal interests and readiness to change health behavior. In addition, consumers can receive personalized, integrated health management content and tools targeted to their medical conditions and preferences.
In addition to these new tools, members who enroll in CIGNA's consumer- driven health plan -- CIGNA Choice Fund(SM) -- will also receive a robust set of Web-based services for managing their health care spending and tracking the funds contributed to the account. Members also gain access to an online plan comparison tool that allows them to compare the potential out-of-pocket costs of the various CIGNA health plans offered by their employer, providing them with information and guidance for choosing the best CIGNA plan for themselves and their families.
CIGNA also offers a variety of programs that connect members with nurses to help them better manage their health, among them a 24-hour nurseline and a personal nurse coach program called CIGNA Health Advisor. Members also have access to the company's disease management programs for those with asthma, low back pain, diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and specialized case management services for members with complex medical needs.
About the survey:
The CIGNA survey was conducted by KRC Research and fielded between June 18-22, 2004. It includes responses from a random sample of 802 employed individuals enrolled in employer-based health plans around the country, and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.
About CIGNA:
CIGNA HealthCare, headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, provides medical benefits through managed care and indemnity health care plans, dental coverage, behavioral health coverage, and pharmacy benefits. "CIGNA" or "CIGNA HealthCare" refers to various operating subsidiaries of CIGNA Corporation . Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by CIGNA Corporation.
CIGNA HealthCareContact: Gwyn Dilday, +1-818-500-6370, Gwyn.dilday@cigna.com, orPatricia Caballero, +1-201-533-5028, Patricia.caballero@cigna.com, both ofCIGNA
Web site: http://www.cigna.com/
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