Satisfaction with Health Coverage and Care : Findings from the 2011 EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey

This paper examines satisfaction with various aspects of health care by type of health plan among three groups of health-plan enrollees: those with a consumer-driven health plan (CDHP), those with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), and those with traditional coverage. The findings presented in this paper are derived from the 2011 EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey, an online survey that examines issues surrounding consumer-directed health care, including the cost of insurance, the cost of care, satisfaction with health care, satisfaction with health care plans, reasons for choosing a plan, and sources of health information. This paper also incorporates findings from the 2011 survey as well as findings from the 2005, 2006, and 2007 EBRI/Commonwealth Fund Consumerism in Health Care Survey, and the 2008, 2009, and 2010 EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. Satisfaction levels have been trending up among CDHP enrollees, and trending down among traditional-plan enrollees. Satisfaction levels with getting doctor appointments were high relative to other aspects of health care, regardless of plan type. Individuals in consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) were less likely than those in traditional plans both to recommend their health plan or to stay with their current plan, if they had the opportunity to switch. Dissatisfaction with out-of-pocket costs may be driving overall satisfaction trends. The PDF for the above title, published in the August 2012 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the fulltext of another August 2012 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: “Is Working to Age 70 Really the Answer for Retirement Income Adequacy?”