Consumer satisfaction with prescription drug plans is higher than consumer satisfaction with overall health plans, according to a survey by Caredata.com, an Internet content provider.
The survey found that 54% of commercial managed care plan members were highly satisfied with their health plan and 63% were highly satisfied with their prescription drug plan.
Aspects of pharmacy benefits that consumers are most pleased with include "the ability to get the best medicine" and "convenience of getting free refills."
The cost of prescription co-pays was the least highly rated, according to the survey.
Other survey highlights include:
- 50% of those surveyed who have a choice of health plans cited prescription drug coverage as one of the top three reasons for plan selection.
- Overall ratings of pharmacy benefits in managed care have dipped to 63% in 1999 from 67% in 1997. Cost and restrictions on brand name drugs are cited as possible causes for this decline.
The 1999 Caredata.com Commercial Health Plan Survey involved more than 24,000 managed care members and represents 240 large and mid-sized employers in 28 markets.
(Caredata.com, Mike Neumeier, 404/266-2600)