Marquis, M. Susan. creator author. Rand Corporation United States Department of Health and Human Services. text bibliography cau 1981 monographic eng

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xii, 49 pages ; 23 cm This report describes how much families know about their health insurance coverage and investigates whether consumer education and simplified benefit structures would improve knowledge. Families' perceptions about their insurance benefits were measured in two household surveys administered in six sites. Knowledge was assessed by comparing families' responses with policy data collected from the carrier. The vast majority of families understand insurance policies that specify one or two parameters in their benefit provisions. However, more complex payment structures are not well understood. Increased exposure to the plans' information leads to increased knowledge, suggesting that education programs could improve the general level of knowledge. The author concludes that if market strategies for allocating medical resources are pursued, simplifying insurance benefit structures and consumer education would aid consumers in making more informed economic choices about medical care. M. Susan Marquis. "July 1981." Includes bibliographical references (p. 49). Also available on the internet via WWW in PDF format. n-us--- Consumers United States Insurance, Health United States HG9396 .M27 1981 0833003429 81011897 http://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R2753/ http://www.rand.org/pubs/reports/R2753/ CstmoR 920212 rnd000000000047166