UnitedHealthcare released its Consumer Sentiment Survey to provide insight into what Americans know about healthcare.
UnitedHealthcare surveyed 1,006 U.S. adults, 18 years and older, between Aug. 10 and Aug. 27.
Here is what you should know:
1. Seventy-two percent of Americans said they were prepared to select an insurance option during the ACA's open enrollment period. Only 22 percent felt unprepared, while 6 percent were unsure.
2. Twenty-eight percent of respondents use the internet or mobile apps as their first source of information concerning symptoms, conditions, diseases or ailments — a 3 percent increase from 2016. Concerning different generations' usage patterns, Millennials (36 percent) led the charge, compared to only 20 percent of Baby Boomers.
3. Only 45 percent of respondents went to a physician or nurse for their first consultation, which was a 3 percent decrease from 2016.
4. Thirty-two percent of the public used the internet to shop for healthcare services, including procedures, treatments and services.
5. Forty-two percent of Americans said they'd utilize telemedicine services, while 46 percent would not.
6. Nine percent of respondents had a basic understanding of all four of the following words:
Note: Individual understanding is included in parentheses.
- Health plan premium (61 percent)
- Health plan deductible (62 percent)
- Out-of-pocket maximum (39 percent)
- Co-insurance (31 percent)