The Employee Benefit Research Institute is a private, nonpartisan, and nonprofit research institute based in HDHP Enrollee Satisfaction Increases With Time on Their Health Plan Washington, D.C., that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and economic security issues. EBRI does not lobby and does not take policy positions. The work of EBRI is made possible by funding from its members and However, notably, satisfaction levels among HDHP enrollees almost double when tenure with their health plan sponsors, which include a broad range of public and private organizations. For more information visit goes from less than one year to three or more years. The percentage reporting that they are extremely or very February 17, 2022, #425 www.ebri.org. satisfied with their HDHP increased from 30 percent to 54 percent. In contrast, among traditional plan enrollees, satisfaction increased from 60 percent to 66 percent (Figure 2). Greenwald Research is a leading independent custom research firm and consulting partner to the health and wealth industries that applies creative quantitative and qualitative methods to help companies stay competitive What Leads to Greater Satisfaction With High-Deductible Yet, only 17 percent of HDHP enrollees have been enrolled in their health plan for 10 or more years. That and navigate industry change. Leveraging deep subject matter expertise and a consultative approach, Greenwald compares with one-quarter (28 percent) of traditional plan enrollees who have been in their health plan for this offers comprehensive services to answer strategic business questions. For more information, go to Health Plan Coverage? long. HDHP enrollees were more likely to have been in their health plan for less than one year, 1 –2 years, 3 –4 www.greenwaldresearch.com. years, and 5 –9 years. Overall satisfaction with health coverage is lower among high-deductible health plan (HDHP) participants than Figure 2 among traditional plan enrollees. Lack of experience with their health coverage — at least in part — may account Overall Satisfaction With Health Plan Increases With Time in Plan Among High- ### for this difference. Deductible Health Plan Enrolless Traditional High-Deductible Health Plan Accordi 70% ng to findings of the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)/Greenwald Research Consumer 66% Engagement in Health Care Survey, two-thirds (63 percent) of traditional plan enrollees were extremely or very 60% satisfied 60% with their overall health plan, compared with 44 percent of HDHP enrollees. 54% 53% 50% Part of the difference in satisfaction appears to be due to out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs and 45% medical services. Sixty percent of traditional plan enrollees were satisfied with the cost they pay for prescription 40% drugs, and 52 percent were satisfied with the cost they pay for other health care services. In contrast, only 39 percent of HDHP enrollees were satisfied with what they pay for prescription drugs, and only 27 percent were 30% 30% satisfied with the cost they pay for other health care services. 20% There is no difference in satisfaction between traditional and HDHP enrollees with respect to quality of care received, ease of getting appointments, or choice of doctor (Figure 1). 10% Figure 1 0% Traditional Plan Enrollees More Satisfied Than High-Deductible Health Plan <1 year 1-2 years 3 or more years Enrollees With Various Aspects of Health Care Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute/Greenwald Research, 2021 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. Traditional Plan High-Deductible Health Plan 63% Overall Satisfaction With My Health Care Plan Conclusion 44% 68% Quality of Health Care I Receive Through My Plan The findings suggest that as enrollees in HDHP grow more experienced with navigating such plans, they value 61% them more. Education around use of the plan — especially help in managing out-of-pocket spending for Ease of Getting an Appointment With a Doctor When 64% prescription drugs and medical services — may hasten the comfort level, and hence satisfaction, that enrollees Needed 58% have with HDHPs. 67% My Choice of Doctors 67% More information about the EBRI/Greenwald Research Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey can be The Cost I Pay out of My Own Pocket for My 59% found online. Prescription Drugs 39% The Cost I Pay out of My Own Pocket for My Other 52% Health Care 27% The 2021 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey is an online survey of 2,024 Americans age 21-64 with private health insurance coverage. It was fielded in August and September of 2021. The survey is 63% Overall Experience With Carrier 48% made possible with funding support from the following organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Carefirst, HealthEquity, Prudential Financial, Segal, TIAA, UMB Financial, and Voya Financial. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute/Greenwald Research, 2021 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. EBRI’s on Twitter! @EBRI or http://twitter.com/EBRI EBRI blog: https://ebriorg.wordpress.com/ E EBRI BRI o on n T Tw wi it tt ter: er: @ @E EBRI BRI o or r h ht tt tp p: :/ // /t tw wi it tt ter er.com .com/ /E EB BRI RI Bl Blo og g: : h ht tt tp ps s: :/ // /e eb br ri io org rg..w wo ord rdp pre res ss s.c .co om m/ / © 2022, Employee Benefit Research Institute, 901 D St. SW, Suite 80 2, Washingto n, DC 20024, 202/659-0670 www.ebri.org2 3