In Brief: Healthcare Consumerization Lags. Covered California Releases Enrollment Numbers

Healthcare Consumerization Continues To Lag, Study Says

A new study of 1,500 consumers by Frost & Sullivan has concluded that many Americans are still disengaged regarding the healthcare services they receive and manage.

According to the study, 48% of the respondents said they were “somewhat engaged” in their healthcare, which Frost & Sullivan said in a statement was the equivalent of being “ambivalent.” Only 21% said they considered themselves engaged or proactive as healthcare consumers.

The study also suggested that providers are lagging behind in providing consumers with tools they require to stay engaged. For example, half of those surveyed say they still use individual paper records to follow the healthcare they receive, even though 72% said it was important to have access to their entire medical record.

Among younger consumers, 62% said that being able to manage their healthcare through a mobile app was important, suggesting a future pathway to greater engagement.

"Patient or consumer engagement is a huge and growing focus for healthcare organizations of every stripe," said Frost & Sullivan analyst Nancy Fabozzi. "Consumer health engagement and the rise of the new ‘culture of health’ references broad societal shifts, which are presumably motivating people to take a more proactive role in their health and wellness."

Covered California Releases Final Enrollment Figures

The Covered California health insurance exchange said that 1.57 million state residents enrolled in health plans during the most recent enrollment period. 

That figure is up from the 1.4 million who enrolled during the 2014-15 period. Of those who signed up in the most current period, 439,000 were new enrollees.

Along with the small increase in enrollment, Covered California officials noted that the percentage of enrollees who chose coverage outside the four major health plans -- Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan -- rose to 17% from 6% during the first two enrollment period.

“Competition is driving the market. Consumers are shopping around and selecting the health plan that best fits their needs and pocketbook,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Covered California built a marketplace that is leading to sustainable cost trends because of the good risk mix, and that creates a level playing field for carriers, forcing them to compete on price and quality.”

Blue Shield led enrollment, with more than 433,000 enrolled, or 28% of the enrollees. That’s up from 348,607 a year ago. Covered California officials attributed that increase through the offering of competitive premiums.

Molina Healthcare, which specilizes in Medi-Cal managed care but has been offering low-priced consumer plans on the exchange, saw its enrollment quadruple, from little more than 22,000 in 2015 to more than 88,000 in 2016.