title: A guide to facilitating consumer choice.
abstract: Some purchasers and policymakers are advocating models that offer consumers a choice of health plans as a way to help them choose a plan that best meets their needs and to create incentives for health plans to compete on the basis of efficiency, quality, and service. A review of six consumer-choice models indicates that these objectives can be met if purchasers (1) create a level field for comparison through standardized benefits and structured enrollment processes; (2) offer a limited number of plans that meet appropriate selection criteria; (3) provide comprehensive, objective, and reliable consumer information; (4) support the process with education; and (5) hold plans accountable through uniform reporting of performance data.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Policy Solutions, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Hoy
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Wicks
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Forland
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D003256:Community Participation / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017754:Group Purchasing / Q000592:standards; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006278:Medicare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012052:Reimbursement, Incentive; D014481:United States