Managed care for Medicare: some considerations in designing effective information provision programs.
Consumer information-processing theory provides a useful framework for policy makers concerned with regulating information provided by managed care organizations. The assumption that consumers are rational information processors and providing more information is better is questioned in this paper. Consumer research demonstrates that when faced with an uncertain decision, consumers adopt simplifying strategies leading to sub-optimal choices. A discussion on how consumers process risk information and the effects of various informational formats on decision outcomes is provided. Categorization theory is used to propose guidelines with regard to providing effective information to consumers choosing among competing managed care plans. Public policy implications borne out of consumer information-processing theory conclude the article.
Jayanti
R K
RK
Department of Marketing, James J. Nance College of Business Administration, Cleveland State University, 1860 East 18th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114, USA. r.jayanti@csuohio.edu
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003657:Decision Making; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016345:Medicare Part B / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008606:Mental Processes; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States