Poll: Consumers Unfazed By Absence Of Big Health Plan Names On Obamacare Exchanges

Less than a Third Concerned by Lack of Major Health Plans such as Aetna and UnitedHealthcare

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to a new poll by HealthPocket, a majority of consumers indicate confidence that they will be able to find good insurance options on the new online marketplaces (or "exchanges"), despite the absence of some well-known name brands. When asked, "Would the absence of popular health plans like Aetna and United on Obamacare Exchanges make you less certain that you can find your best health plan options there?" only 30.5 percent answered yes.

With two weeks to go until the opening of federal and state health insurance marketplaces, questions loom about which insurance companies will choose to participate, and if they do, which metal plans they will offer. The insurance carrier lineup is not complete, but to date, well-known health insurance brands such as UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have indicated they are approaching the insurance exchange marketplace with caution. For example, neither Aetna nor United intend to participate in the California, New Jersey or Connecticut exchanges in 2014. In some states, insurers who do not participate in the government's exchange may offer individual policies that are not subsidized off exchange.

"Consumers are going to have to select a health plan very soon, and at this point, they don't seem concerned about whether more recognizable brands are missing from their options," said Steve Zaleznick, executive director for Consumer Strategy and Development of HealthPocket. "The key details of a plan like premiums, deductibles and co-payments, provider networks, prescription drug benefits and quality measurements will be the deciding factors for consumers and brand may take a back seat."   

The nationwide survey was conducted from September 9-14, 2013, and reflects 697 responses. The methodology to acquire survey respondents who approximate national statistics on age, gender, and region was implemented by Google. See the InfoPoll report to review the detailed findings.

Consumers can review health insurance options available in the current marketplace for free by using HealthPocket's health insurance comparison tool that compares quality and costs of health plans in any geographic area.

About HealthPocket
HealthPocket.com is a free website that compares and ranks all health plans available to an individual, family, or small business, so everyone can make their best health plan decision and save on their out of pocket costs. The Company uses only objective data from government, non-profit, and private sources that carry no conditions that might restrict the site from serving as an unbiased resource. The founders of HealthPocket.com spent decades pioneering online access to health insurance information and knew they could offer something different that can positively change how people buy and use healthcare in the U.S. Learn more at www.HealthPocket.com.

SOURCE HealthPocket