HealthMine Survey Reveals Consumers Uninformed About Healthcare Costs: 86% Say It's Important to Compare Costs Before Procedures, But 64% Rarely or Never Do So

DALLAS, March 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As consumers struggle to pay rising deductibles and out of pocket healthcare costs, a HealthMine Survey revealed that while 86% of respondents believe it's important to compare costs before taking a health action, the majority (64%) rarely or never price shop.  The survey shows that consumers are not only disconnected from costs, but also from relevant health actions.  Fifty-seven percent (57%) of respondents say it's difficult to understand their health information and/or actions needed to improve their health.

Health Incentives and Tools in High Demand

What's more, consumers want additional tools and guidance to manage their health: 75% believe their health plan sponsor should offer a program and guidelines, and 80% want incentives for wellness. Results are from a March 2015 HealthMine survey of 561 consumers with company-sponsored health plans. 

Consumer Wish List for Corporate Wellness

Additional survey results revealed key desires and preferences in consuming and understanding health information:

• 88% believe it's important to have a single login for access to health information
• 82% want regular updates on their health conditions and health progress from their plan provider
• 80% want easy access to clinical information and evidence from national associations, leading hospitals, medical studies
• 80% say it's important to have concise summaries and simple visual graphics when accessing health information
• 76% want to easily share their information with healthcare providers when on the go
• 64% believe it's important to have access to health coaches when looking at health information

Bryce Williams, CEO and President of HealthMine said: "Understanding healthcare costs is not easy or transparent.  So, while consumers want information, the pain is often not worth the gain." He added, "Beyond the cost issue, consumers are struggling to understand their own health information. To lower their burden or even make informed decisions they'll need personal clinical engagement from plan sponsors."

About the SurveyThe HealthMine survey. The HealthMine Wellness Preferences Survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) on March 1-2, 2015. Data were collected via an opt-in panel. The margin of error is 4%. Survey Sampling International (SSI) has been the Worldwide Leader in Survey Sampling and Data Collection Solutions, across every mode, for 37 Years.

About HealthMineHealthMine, a leading consumer health engagement company, has developed the wellness industry's first and only Personal Clinical Engagement (PCE) technology platform. HealthMine PCE automatically connects comprehensive clinical data with tailored recommendations, resources and incentives to create a personalized health portal available on any mobile device. HealthMine has more than one million users today, and has saved employers and payers more than $100 million in healthcare costs. The company, founded in 2008, is based in Dallas, Texas with offices in San Francisco, New York and Minneapolis.

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SOURCE HealthMine