Dennis Scanlon, PhD, Describes How Consumers Can Make Informed Healthcare Decisions

Dennis Scanlon, PhD, professor of health policy and administration at Penn State University, says that it is important to consider what details patients need in order to make informed decisions. For payers, this might include informing consumers about enrollment decisions. The health plan decisions that patients make during an enrollment period can have implications down the road.

“We need to get people to think about not only what the price is to enroll today, but what the implications may be in the future should the need arise for care,” says Dr Scanlon. He notes that consumers’ other lifestyle concerns, such as their retirement savings, may also shape their decision making. “[If] I’m healthy today I may want to go with a lower price option, but in doing so, I might be making decisions that ultimately that could impact me or adversely impact my decision down the road should I need significant care.”