Options preferred before price among insurance customers, poll finds

When it comes to whether individuals would rather pay more for insurance benefits with many care options or save costs with less-inclusive plans, most prefer the more expensive arrangement than a cheaper plan that’s not as comprehensive, according to a new poll.

Approximately 50 percent of respondents said they’d decide to buy a health plan that was more expensive if it had a broad network of doctors and hospitals to choose from, the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed. Meanwhile, about 37 percent said they would be more inclined to buy a policy with low premiums, even though their healthcare options weren’t as inclusive.

To be considered a qualified health plan under the healthcare law, policies must include specific types of medical services, including pediatric, prescription, ambulatory services, newborn care and hospitalization, among others. The medical services that are most frequently excluded are cosmetic surgery, acupuncture, infertility treatment, private nursing and weight loss surgery, online insurance information resource HealthPocket found.

“The Affordable Care Act has had a profound influence on individual and small group health plans,” said Kev Coleman, head of research and data at HealthPocket. “But our investigation found its effect upon the most frequently excluded medical services less significant.”

He added many of the same services that aren’t covered under ACA plans today weren’t provided for prior to the health law’s implementation.