Is the era of the standalone dental insurance provider on the way out? Could be, if the findings of a WellPoint survey prove prophetic.
The health plan company conducted a phone survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, asking them about the service and product models they prefer. Overwhelmingly, respondents said they wanted integrated products and services, citing smartphones as an example.
When asked about insurance products and services, "81 percent said it would be extremely helpful to trust the same carrier to provide their dental, vision and health coverage," WellPoint reported.
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Why would they prefer this model? WellPoint said that 86 percent of respondents think a one-stop-insurance-shopping experience would be more efficient all around, saving them time, money and probably leading to better care.
Asked how they select an insurance plan, respondents listed the following factors as critical to the decision:
- cost — 67 percent;
- customer service — 60 percent;
- ease of use — 58 percent.
What frustrates these consumers as they navigate insurance waters? Half of respondents cited the difficulties and time involved in simply determining the cost of various types of coverage. Another 41 percent said they spend too much time trying to find a health care provider that accepts their insurance, and 39 percent said they felt frustrated in their attempts to get their various doctors to coordinate their care.
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
