Profile of a Health Insurance Buyer

In late 2004, Kate Brown*, co-owner of a small California-based business, set out to find affordable health coverage for her family and business employees. What is a headache-inducing saga for some was for Brown a lesson about research, persistence, and, ultimately, satisfaction. MedHealthInsurance caught up with Brown and discussed her experience as a health insurance consumer.

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MedHealthInsurance (MHI): What prompted your search for health insurance?
Kate Brown: Our existing coverage ran out and was nonrenewable. So, I guess that I would say that my search for health coverage was a necessity, rather than a proactive search for better coverage.

MHI: What were you hoping to find, in an ideal situation?
KB: I was hoping to find good coverage at an affordable price. I wanted to keep premiums low, have flexibility in choosing doctors, and provide a high level of coverage for catastrophic events. I was also quite interested in the HSA accounts.

MHI: How difficult did you expect the process to be before you started?
KB: I expected that the process would be difficult but that a good solution could be found with enough research.

MHI: How difficult did it turn out to be, in reality?
KB: Working with eHealthInsurance was a godsend! They were extremely knowledgeable and helpful, and they helped me to find an innovative plan that worked well for our needs. Without their help, it would have been much more difficult.

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MHI: What was the search process like?
KB: I started by researching online and speaking with my friends and colleagues. Then I requested a quote from eHealthInsurance suggested several plans based on our situation, priorities and budget. I didn’t just take her word for it, though. I definitely did my homework! After careful consideration (and lots of spreadsheet models), I decided that her advice was best, and we chose the plan that she suggested. I also checked with an offline insurance broker before deciding to purchase our insurance through eHealth, but the other broker could not match the level of expertise and options that I found at eHealth.

MHI: How did you feel as you continued your search? Any particular surprises or frustrations?
KB: I was surprised about HSAs (health savings accounts). I thought that it would be a great option for us and our business. However, in my research, I discovered that they didn’t make sense for us. I think that they are a great product, but the premiums are still too high. I think that once people begin using them, the prices will moderate. They didn't work out for us this time, but I plan to look into them again in the future.

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MHI: What advice, if any, did you receive during the process?
KB: Jennifer at eHealthInsurance was great. She helped me through the entire process. She also worked with the carriers to answer specific questions that I had that were not covered in their policy guidelines. She spent a great deal of time with me, understanding our situation and helping us find the best plan.

MHI: How did you ultimately make a decision?
KB: Ultimately, I made my decision based on comparing the plans against my priorities.

MHI: How satisfied are you with that decision?
KB: Again, no plan is perfect, but I like the flexibility that I have in choosing a doctor. I also like that I can go to the doctor without worrying too much about out of pocket expenses.

MHI: What might have you done differently?
KB: I’m not sure. eHealthInsurance was great – I would definitely recommend them. I still work with them to administer the plan.

MHI: What tips would you share with those beginning a search for health insurance?
KB: Every health insurance plan has trade-offs. Make a prioritized list of what is important to you and then compare the plans against it. Also, make sure that you have a clear budget in mind for your premiums, but don’t forget about out of pocket expenses.

*name changed at subject's request

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