Patient Survey: Docs Silent On Health Reform

Physicians could help patients navigate new system, if they discuss it

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new consumer survey from HealthPocket finds that half of all respondents who have a regular physician have not had their doctor comment on the effect of the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare") on healthcare. Of those whose doctors have commented on health reform, responses have been fairly evenly divided: 38 percent heard mostly negative comments, 33 percent heard mostly positive comments, and 29 percent heard neutral comments. Twenty-five percent of respondents reported not having a regular physician.

The October 1 deadline for health insurance exchanges to be up and running will mean consumers will soon begin weighing their options for health insurance coverage starting in 2014. Experts say those decisions will be influenced, in part, by whether their physicians will be participating in specific plans. Early insurance plan filings show premium pricing pressure is causing insurance carriers to cut costs and limit some plans to narrower networks of providers, so patients will need to understand what their options really offer.

"Medical appointments can be critical opportunities to discuss the personal implications of health reform," said Bruce Telkamp, HealthPocket CEO. "Many consumers are confused or have unanswered questions about the Affordable Care Act. Doctors, as trusted healthcare experts in the eyes of consumers, can help their patients understand how patient care will be affected."

This InfoPoll survey of 1,176 people was conducted between June 26 and June 28, 2013. The methodology to acquire survey respondents who approximate national statistics on age, gender, and region was implemented by Google. See the InfoPoll to review the detailed findings. To compare premiums for health plans in any geographic area, visit HealthPocket's health plan comparison tool. HealthPocket also recently launched a new doctor health plan search tool, which allows consumers find all health plans that their doctor may accept.

About HealthPocket
HealthPocket.com is a free website that compares and ranks all health plans available to an individual, family, or small business, so everyone can make their best health plan decision and save on their out of pocket costs. The Company uses only objective data from government, non-profit, and private sources that carry no conditions that might restrict the site from serving as an unbiased resource. The founders of HealthPocket.com spent decades pioneering online access to health insurance information and knew they could offer something different that can positively change how people buy and use healthcare in the U.S. Learn more at www.HealthPocket.com.

SOURCE HealthPocket