Overview
Most consumers get their health insurance through their
employer, but many purchase their insurance through the private market – and
under the state’s new Health Care Law – everyone will be required to have
health insurance.
Trying to compare the cost of the plans, including premiums, deductibles and copays, as well as and the benefits of the plans—does the plan cover RX drugs and if so how much; does the plan cover hospital visits; can the insured choose their physician; are there limits to the plan and does it exclude conditions—are all important components to plans but historically have been difficult or near impossible for the consumer to compare.
In the private health insurance marketplace, consumers are
confronted with too much technical information or information presented in an
inconsistent or confusing manner. To
overcome these hurdles, MASSPIRG is working with Consumers Union to develop a
consumer-friendly, standardized information disclosure form. The disclosure form would use a question and
answer format to provide consumers with the information they want and need most
and in a language that they understand. Private
insurers would summarize their plans in this one-page (front and back) format and
provide the summary to the consumer when the insurer provides a premium quote.
The disclosure form will help consumers understand their
options in the private market and facilitate comparison shopping.
