The typical argument in favor of the United States’ unique system of health care often centers on the freedom consumers have to choose the benefits that best meet their needs.

In reality, however, few Americans are truly health care shoppers. Most get insurance through their employer, and even if the employer offers an array of options, many employees don’t understand the benefits they can choose from.

A recent poll by Chicago-based employee communication software company Jellyvision found that 48 percent of U.S. workers say that making choices about health insurance is “very stressful.” Forty-one percent say enrolling in their employer’s health plan is very confusing.