The impact of health plan report cards on managed care enrollment

J Health Econ. 2002 Jan;21(1):19-41. doi: 10.1016/s0167-6296(01)00111-4.

Abstract

How does the release of health plan performance ratings influence employee health plan choice? A natural experiment at General Motors (GM) Corporation provides valuable evidence on this question. During the 1997 open enrollment period, GM disseminated a health plan report card for the first time. By comparing 1996 and 1997 enrollment patterns, our analysis estimates the impact of the report card information while accounting for fixed, unobserved plan traits. Results indicate that employees are less likely to enroll in plans requiring relatively high out-of-pocket contributions. Results with respect to report card ratings suggest that individuals avoid health plans with many below average ratings.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benchmarking
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Consumer Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Deductibles and Coinsurance
  • Fees and Charges
  • Financing, Personal
  • Health Benefit Plans, Employee / economics*
  • Health Benefit Plans, Employee / standards*
  • Health Maintenance Organizations / classification
  • Health Maintenance Organizations / economics
  • Health Maintenance Organizations / standards
  • Health Maintenance Organizations / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Information Services*
  • Managed Competition
  • Michigan
  • Models, Econometric
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care*