Plans Do Not Match What Patients Prefer.

• Position: INSURANCE POLICIES

As health-care premiums continue to rise, a survey by Brighton Health Plan Solutions, New York, calls into question the status quo that forces consumers to pay for health plans that do not match their needs or preferences.

"This survey uncovers a major gap between consumer preference in selecting and receiving health care and what today's big legacy health plans offer," says CEO Simeon Schindelman. "Having remained static for decades, our health-care system simply does not meet the expectations of today's consumer. People no longer want or use the standard one-size-fits-all health plan--they want local, affordable care tailored to them individually."

The vast majority of individuals already solely utilize local health care networks. In addition to staying in-state, the survey reveals that 55% of consumers are willing to travel only 30 minutes or less to visit their primary care doctors. Just 34% have received care from more than one health system, a network of affiliated providers. Staying within one health system--and consistently receiving care from an integrated set of doctors--results in more-personalized, higher-quality care, since patient health information easily can be shared among providers within that...