Who Tries to Find Objective Information on Health Care? Findings From the 2010 Health Confidence Survey – Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI)

• “USERS OF HEALTH INFORMATION: This analysis looks at who currently uses information on health cost, quality, and outcomes. Data comes from the EBRI/MGA 2010 Health Confidence Survey (HCS), a survey that examines a broad spectrum of health care issues, including Americans’ satisfaction with health care today, their confidence in the future of the health care system and the Medicare program, and their attitudes toward health care reform.
• TYPES OF INFORMATION SOUGHT VARIES: Overall, 45 percent of the population reported having tried to find information about the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments, while only 14 percent tried to find information about the number of disciplinary actions taken against a doctor or hospital. About one-quarter tried to find cost information (28 percent for the full costs of different treatments; 24 percent for the costs of different doctors and
  hospitals).

• WHO SEARCHES FOR INFORMATION: Women, younger individuals, and individuals with higher levels of education were more likely than others to seek information on cost, quality, and access. Individuals who experience an increase in either premiums or cost sharing are more likely than those who do not to seek information.”