Private Health Insurance
District of Columbia Consumer Assistance with Health Insurance Survey
Research Report
Rachelle Cummins, M.A., AARP Knowledge Management
May 2001
Washington, DC residents age 18 or older covered by public or private health care plans demonstrate a need for a consumer assistance or ombudsman program to help them navigate their health care coverage. While about 75% of those surveyed are not fully aware of their health plan rights under District law, 25% say they don't know where to turn for help in resolving a problem with their plan.
Consumers of health care coverage want a consumer assistance program — 83% support creating a consumer assistance program even if public funds are needed to develop and sustain it. Roughly the same proportion of adult District residents with coverage want a neutral person, not affiliated with their plan, to go to for assistance and information. Nearly equal percentages think that a District agency (37%) or an independent program not part of a District agency (41%) would efficiently and fairly resolve problems.
Between April 4 and April 25, 2001, Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR) conducted a telephone survey of 800 age 18+ DC adults with health coverage. Rachelle Cummins of AARP Knowledge Management analyzed the data and wrote the report. (5 pages)