Across the country, the federal government is bestowing millions of dollars on a navigator program and an array of non-profits to help guide people through the public health insurance exchanges set to open Oct. 1. But a new national survey raises questions about how readily consumers will turn to these groups for help on health coverage.
The study, conducted by HealthPocket.com, a nonpartisan website that compares and ranks health plans for individuals, families and small businesses, found that navigators and non-profits are the least likely sources for information about health insurance to which consumers will turn. According to the survey, consumers are far more likely to look to their doctors and pharmacists for advice, and even more likely to stand pat with the insurance they already have and not seek any sort of new information at all.
