When consumers change their health plans, choice is not the primary reason. What drives this switch is a change in job or in the type of plans an employer offers, according to
a report by The Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington, D.C.
One out of six privately insured health plan members changes plans over a one-year period. When consumers choose another plan, 70% do so because of a new job or employer-based
health plan changes.
The survey is based on data from more than 37,000 private insurance members in 1996 and 1997. The report is published in the May/June issue of Health Affairs.
(The Center for Studying Health System Change, 202/484-5261)