Survey: Health insurance decisions among hardest consumers face

A new national survey found that health insurance purchace decisions are among the hardest that consumers face (Source: "Health insurance purchase decisions are more difficult than ones on parenting," MedCity News, Oct. 5, 2012).

The survey, conducted by Aetna, found that choosing healthcare benefits is the second-toughest decision facing most Americans, behind only how to save for retirement. In fact, insurance choices were ranked as more difficult than buying a car, deciding on medical test or even making parenting decisions.

“The Aetna Empowered Health Index Survey results showed that consumers understand the importance of health benefits. However, they don’t feel they have the resources they need to make an educated decision,” said Mark T. Bertolini, Aetna’s chairman, CEO and president, in a news release. “We need to make the process of choosing and using health benefits easier for consumers.”