The Wall Street Journal reports that despite President Bush's and big employers' push for so called "consumer-directed" health plans, consumer discomfort with the idea is rising to the surface.
The Journal speculates that "low enrollment and low satisfaction among workers who are offered them raise the question of whether consumer-directed plans will stall before they ever hit the mainstream. Few employers are focusing on the costly measures -- such as offering better coverage or more consumer education -- that may be needed to accelerate these plans."
The newspaper goes on to report:
"In a survey published last month by Towers Perrin, an employee-benefits firm, employees enrolled in them said they felt less capable of finding a quality doctor or hospital, though they often were in the same network as colleagues in other plans. Only 29% said they tried to save money in their accounts for future medical expenses.Though the consulting firm says consumer-directed plans have much potential, its executives were surprised consumer responses were so negative.
"If I were a product manager in any other industry and saw scores this low in customer satisfaction and understanding, I'd be thinking of pulling that product from the shelves or retooling it," says David Guilmette, managing director of Towers Perrin's health-care consulting practice.
One reason for the frustration is the uphill battle many consumers describe in trying to shop for their health care."