Making Healthcare Decisions

December 2006

Stations, the following is a news announcement. Suggested lead in 3, 2, 1...

(INTRO)

A public opinion poll released by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association shows consumers value healthcare quality information above cost of treatment data when making key healthcare decisions. When consumers need to select the best treatment option, 86 percent searched for information on quality, compared to just 47 percent who searched for treatment cost information.

John Parker, spokesperson for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, discusses the importance of providing consumers with information on healthcare quality.

(PARKER)

AVAILABILITY OF EASY-TO-USE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION IS A GROWING TREND, AND CONSUMERS WANT INCREASED ACCESS TO QUALITY DATA, SO THEY CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR CARE. COST IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR CONSUMERS, YET IT MUST BE PRESENTED ALONGSIDE QUALITY INFORMATION SO THAT CONSUMERS HAVE AN ACCURATE, OVERALL PICTURE TO BEST ASSESS THEIR TREATMENT OPTIONS.

(CLOSE)

For more information on this research study, please visit bcbs.com/consumertransparency.