CIGNA Survey: Americans Say Health Care Works for Them, But It Stresses Them Out to Think About It

Most insured Americans say the current health care system works for them, but they don't understand their health care plans as well as other contracts and they spend less than half an hour reviewing and choosing their health plans -- and many say it stresses them out too much to think about health care and costs, according to a new CIGNA (NYSE: CI) survey.

A recent Opinion Research Corporation telephone survey was sponsored by CIGNA in conjunction with development of learn4yourhealth, CIGNA's new health care educational program designed to help people improve their understanding of health care. Among the key findings that emerged:

-- A majority of Americans, 79 percent, most with insurance, say the current health care system works for them.

-- Americans place understanding of their health care plans last when asked to rank order their understanding of their common household contracts such as mortgages, cell phones, cable TV, retirement plans and car warranties. Most also say they spend under half an hour a year reviewing and choosing health plans, with 22 percent saying they don't have enough time to make good health care and costs decisions.

-- Forty percent of Americans say it stresses them out too much to think about health care and costs, a number that rises to nearly 50 percent among Americans with children at home, just over 50 percent among 18 to 34 year olds, and more than 70 percent among Hispanics.

-- One in five Americans finds making health care and costs decisions more difficult than other activities like sitting in rush hour traffic, traveling with small children, going on a job interview and preparing their taxes.

"We are continually asking ourselves what we can do to simplify health care decision-making for all the diverse people we serve. Survey results overall are encouraging, in that most Americans say the current system works for them. But for some people, health care is still a stressful subject," said Karen Kocher, CIGNA's chief learning officer. "Our constant challenge as a health service company is to help everyone better understand how to manage their health care and make more confident and knowledgeable decisions." Kocher pointed to the launch of learn4yourhealth, CIGNA's new public education program, as the latest advancement in meeting that challenge.

Americans give the current system a good grade

Overall, almost nine out of ten (87 percent) Americans surveyed indicated they currently have health insurance, with almost two-thirds (62 percent) saying they have insurance through their employer. The majority of Americans surveyed feel the current health care system works for them, with 79 percent grading the current system an "A," "B" or "C" including 22 percent who assign an "A" to the current system.

Sixty-two percent of single households give the current system an "A" or "B" compared to 49 percent of two-person households and 48 percent of households with three or more.

Understanding among all Americans surveyed is lowest with respect to health care reform. While 28 percent give themselves high marks in fully understanding reform, just as many (27 percent) rate their level of understanding a "D" or "F."

"People with employer-sponsored health coverage tend to be satisfied with the plans from their companies. We believe this system, while not perfect, is the bedrock of improving national health and wellness and that we should build on it," said Matt Manders, senior vice president of CIGNA's health care operations.

Stress in the city and the parent trap

The survey offered additional insights about Americans' assessment of health care and their feelings about it. For example:

-- Half of Americans living in non-metropolitan areas say it stresses them out too much to think about health care, compared to 37 percent in cities.

-- Almost half (47 percent) of Americans with children say it stresses them out too much to think about health care, compared to about 36 percent of childless households who say they are stressed out.

-- Households with children, compared to households with no children, have a harder time understanding their health care plans, with 34 percent of people with children saying they completely understand their health care plans versus 41 percent of people without children saying they completely understand.

"The fact that many people find it too stressful to think about health care underscores the need for our continued vigilance in simplifying and demystifying health care through all our communications and educational efforts," said Benjamin Karsch, CIGNA's chief marketing officer. "And it also requires us to help people before they become ill or injured so that they will be more knowledgeable and confident in making health care decisions that won't add to their stress."

Resources to help improve understanding of health care

People are encouraged to take advantage of all available resources to help them improve their health, stretch their health care dollars, and make informed decisions about their health care coverage. Their health plan resources may include 24-hour customer service and nurse lines, price comparisons for health care services, home delivery of medications, and employee assistance programs they can call to discuss stress over any issue.

Two free and readily available resources from CIGNA to help everyone improve their understanding and use of their health care coverage can be found at www.cigna.com/learn4yourhealth and http://newsroom.cigna.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=50

About the Survey

This survey was sponsored by CIGNA to determine consumers' understanding of health care, generally, and their health care coverage, specifically. This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted among a national probability sample of 1,001 adults comprising 502 men and 499 women 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. The survey was carried out by Opinion Research Corporation using their CARAVAN(R) telephone sampling methodology. Interviewing was completed during the period of July 23-26, 2009. The survey's sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points for values at or near 50 percent, given a 95 percent confidence interval.

About CIGNA

CIGNA (NYSE:CI), a global health service company, is dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being and sense of security. CIGNA Corporation's operating subsidiaries provide an integrated suite of medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and vision care benefits, as well as group life, accident and disability insurance, to more than 46 million people throughout the United States and around the world.