Deloitte Center for Health Solutions study finds anxiety over financial
preparedness; consumers say health care is a key issue in the upcoming
presidential election
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- American consumers want more from
their health care system than they're currently getting - greater online
connection to health care providers and medical records, customized
insurance coverage and wider access to emerging innovations such as retail
clinics, a new survey from Deloitte reveals.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080220/CLW031 )
At the same time, they express anxiety about future health care costs -
only 7 percent say they're adequately prepared financially - and
increasingly search for alternative medicines and services that can save
them money and offer convenience. But many also say they are willing to pay
extra for wellness programs, and to support or consider tax increases to
cover the uninsured.
The "2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers," a representative poll of
more than 3,000 Americans between the ages of 18 and 75, was conducted by
the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions
(http://www.deloitte.com/us/healthcareconsumersurvey). It was directed by Paul
Keckley, executive director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions,
and William Copeland, Jr., national managing director of the Life Sciences
and Health Care practice of Deloitte Consulting LLP.
"More than anything, the findings convince us that Americans no longer
see themselves only as patients, but as consumers who want to take greater
control of their health care," Keckley said. "Consumers will redefine our
health care market, but how they do it is the most important strategic
question the health care industry must answer."
Copeland said the survey's scope makes it one of the most thorough and
comprehensive efforts to date to measure consumer attitudes, behaviors and
unmet needs. "We believe these attitudes and consumer demands could have a
transformative impact on the way health care services and products are
developed," he said.
Among the survey's key findings:
- 93 percent say they are not well prepared for future health care costs
- 79 percent of consumers believe health care will be an important issue
in the 2008 election; 46 percent described it as one of the top three
issues affecting their vote
- 34 percent say they would use a retail clinic; 16 percent already have
- 60 percent want physicians to provide online access to medical records
and test results, and online appointment scheduling; one in four say
they would pay more for the service
- 1 in 3 consumers say they want more holistic/alternative therapies in
their treatment program
- 3 of 4 consumers want expanded use of in-home monitoring devices, and
online tools that would reduce need for visits and allow individuals
to be more active in their care
- 84 percent prefer generic drugs to name brands
- 29 percent support a tax increase to help cover the uninsured; another
34 percent say they would consider a tax hike
- 52 percent of consumers say they understand their insurance coverage;
only 8 percent understand their policies completely
- For additional findings, visit http://www.deloitte.com/us/consumerism/library
The way Americans think and behave in buying, managing and using their
health care varies widely by gender, age group and cultural background,
according to the survey. Women and men, for instance, have very different
approaches to how they select and pay for their health care.
The Deloitte survey, however, found that consumer needs overall are
basic -- better service, personalization, value - and that they want
specific tools to customize the health services and insurance programs they
use. Consumers are embracing innovation. Respondents said they wanted
health plans to provide help with clinical decisions, not simply
administrative services, and many want to customize their insurance with
unique coverage and pricing features.
In addition, the survey revealed the consumer health care market is not
homogenous; key distinctions exist within different groups. An analysis of
the data found that the more than 3,000 respondents fell into six discrete
segments, ranging from "content and compliant" consumers more accepting of
the status quo to "out and about" health care shoppers who tend to be more
independent and willing to try unconventional treatments.
Those factors taken together carry with them the potential for dramatic
near-term change in the way U.S. doctors, hospitals, health plan
administrators, drug makers and biotech companies operate, Keckley noted.
For general information on the survey, please contact Scott Ladd. For
information on the Health Plans, Health Providers, and Life Sciences
practices of Deloitte, please contact Marykate Reese.
Related Content
Findings: 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers -
http://www.deloitte.com/us/healthcareconsumersurvey
Resource Center: 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers -
http://www.deloitte.com/us/consumerism/media
Paul Keckley Bio - http://www.deloitte.com/us/PaulKeckley
Bill Copeland Bio - http://www.deloitte.com/us/BillCopeland
About Deloitte
As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP. Please see
http://www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of
Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.
About the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions
The Deloitte Center for Health Solutions is part of Deloitte LLP. For
more on the Center and its work, see
http://www.deloitte.com/centerforhealthsolutions
For general information on the survey and the Center for Health Solutions,
please contact Scott Ladd. For information on the Health Plans, Health
Providers, and Life Sciences practices of Deloitte, please contact Marykate
Reese.
Contact:
Scott Ladd Kathie Boettrich
Public Relations Hill & Knowlton
Deloitte (202) 944-5150
(973) 602-6051 (o) Kathie.boettrich@hillandknowlton.com
(917) 301-5249 (m)
sladd@deloitte.com
Marykate Reese
Public Relations
Deloitte
(203) 708-4269 (o)
(203) 257-0452 (m)
mareese@deloitte.com
SOURCE Deloitte
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Related links:
http://www.deloitte.com
http://www.deloitte.com/us/healthcareconsumersurvey
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080220/CLW031
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org AP PhotoExpress
Network: PRN9 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Marykate Reese, Public Relations,
+1-203-708-4269 (o), +1-203-257-0452 (m), mareese@deloitte.com,
Scott Ladd, Public Relations, +1-973-602-6051 (o),
+1-917-301-5249 (m), sladd@deloitte.com, both of Deloitte; Kathie
Boettrich of Hill & Knowlton, +1-202-944-5150,
Kathie.boettrich@hillandknowlton.com, for Deloitte
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