Do insurance benefits enrollees need more health insurance education?

Consumers’ understanding of health insurance is often an issue for people when they need to use their plans, and this issue may be coming up among those who purchased insurance benefits plans through the federal and state marketplaces.

According to a Kaiser Health News Q&A, some consumers don’t like the terms of the health plans they purchased on the exchanges. However, Kaiser noted it is extremely difficult to change plans before the next open enrollment period. It’s important that anyone who signs up for healthcare coverage through the exchanges understand each plan’s unique terms and how those elements impact how much the person will pay for coverage and the type of coverage they will receive. Having knowledge about insurance terms, conditions and even wording is an important part of selecting any health plan, and many people may need to boost their health literacy to find the right plans for their needs during the next enrollment period.

The American Institute of CPAs found in August 2013 that 51 percent of the 1,008 Americans surveyed didn’t know what premium, deductible or copayment meant. These terms are basic health insurance concepts that, once understood, can help people sift through their coverage options effectively.