Marching into open enrollment season, employers will find new reminders that workers require extensive communication efforts to maintain a generally satisfactory view of their employer-sponsored plans.

A recent survey by Cigna, for example, shows that fully 79% of Americans, most of whom have employer-based coverage, are content with the current health care system.  However, researchers found that while the offerings themselves may be attractive to employees, the idea of grappling with a gamut of complex choices remains daunting.

“The fact that many people find it too stressful to think about health care underscores the need for our continued vigilance in simplifying and demystifying health care through all our communications and educational efforts,” said Benjamin Karsch, Cigna's chief marketing officer.  “And it also requires us to help people before they become ill or injured so that they will be more knowledgeable and confident in making health care decisions that won’t add to their stress."  

Prospects for employee understanding are not rosy as Americans responding to an Opinion Research Corporation telephone survey sponsored by Cigna rated understanding of their health care plans last, behind knowledge of common household contracts, such as mortgages, cell phones, cable TV, retirement plans and car warranties.

Further, most survey participants spent less than half an hour a year reviewing and electing health plans, with 22% saying they don’t have enough time to make good health care and costs decisions.

Americans are frustrated as well, as 40% claim that thinking about health care and costs stresses them out too much, a number that rises to 50% among Americans with children at home, the same percentage as 18 to 34 year olds, and more than 70% among Hispanics.

One in five Americans finds making health care decisions more difficult than sitting in rush hour traffic, travelling with small children, going on a job interview and preparing their taxes.

Still, the majority of the 62% of respondents that receive health insurance through their employer are relatively happy with their employer-sponsored health care. Over two-thirds (79%) of all survey participants rated the current system an “A,” “B” or “C” including 22% who designate an “A” to the current system.

Understanding took a dip when it came to health care reform. While 28% give themselves high marks in fully understanding reform, just as many (27%) rate their level of understanding as a “D” or “F.”

“People with employer-sponsored health coverage tend to be satisfied with the plans from their companies.  We believe this system, while not perfect, is the bedrock of improving national health and wellness and that we should build on it,” said Matt Manders, senior vice president of Cigna's health care operations.

The survey also broke down the results by those who lived in metropolitan versus rural areas as well as by households with children versus those without. Half of Americans residing in non-metropolitan areas say it stresses them out too much to think about health care, compared to 37% in cities. Almost half (47%) of Americans with children claim that thinking about health care stresses them out too much, in juxtaposition with 36% of childless households who say they are stressed out.

In addition, households with children, compared to those households without, have a harder time understanding their health care plans. Thirty-four percent of people with children claim to completely understand their health care plans, compared to 41% of people without children.

Employees are stressed about their health care costs, which only add to their financial and mental burden in the current economic environment. Experts say this could be an opportune moment to teach workers about the offerings available to them as well as to demystify the health care process and costs.