In a recent article by Insurancenewsnet.com (http://tinyurl.com/lxqf5f) a survey done by the Microsoft Corp. showed that 66 percent of Americans are interested in receiving health-related encouragement and reminder emails for their health insurance carrier.  Additionally, 52 percent would be open to receiving e-mails that provide them with feedback on their health progress. Another, 62 percent of Americans believe that personal health record services are valuable.

This is good news for health insurance providers.  These survey results show a desire by consumers to have a stronger relationship with their health provider.  With daily talk of health care nationalization grower stronger private insurers should see these results as a golden opportunity to seize back their consumer’s confidence. 

However, despite the opportunity it doesn’t yet seem that the health insurance industry has fully taken advantage of the consumers interest.  According to the survey, 49 percent of insured Americans feel their health plans support them only when they need to visit a doctor, instead of helping them stay well.

No matter which way the national debate on health care turns, privatization, nationalization or some hybrid, the only way that health services become more cost effective is through a healthier nation.  The detrimental effects of a less active lifestyle are catching up on Americans.  If current health trends continue regardless of the system in place, we all will suffer.

So let’s hope that private health insurers wake-up and step-up their efforts in health prevention.  Maybe branded as a “Health Coach” Americans would listen and begin preventing health problems and not just wait to fix them.

Ryan

Related posts:

1. Does Too Much Health Insurance Make You Fat?
2. Public Health Still Not an Option
3. Parents, Children Now Covered Under Group Health till 29
4. Health Care Cost Increase in Double Digits
5. Obesity is Impacting Workforce, Workers Comp