Rising health care costs are raising the stakes for consumers in selecting the right health plan and provider to meet their needs. As a result, consumerism in health care is rapidly evolving, supported by improved tools via data and information technology, new plan designs, and the growing role of online comparison shopping in our everyday lives. To improve enrollment and get a handle on costs, policy makers in Congress and the Administration need to use data and tools more effectively. Better management of federal and state programs increasingly means decision makers must keep up with the latest tools, trends, and capabilities.
Demand for these tools is robust and growing across demographic groups. Millennials in particular are more prone to expect “instant gratification,” now that online information is at their fingertips 24/7 through mobile devices. Unlike previous generations,…
