Those who understand insurance coverage more cost-conscious, study says

The Associated Press/The Boston Herald: "Workers who better understand their health insurance plans — from their share of premiums to co-payments for doctor office and emergency room visits — are more likely to make more cost-efficient decisions, a new study finds. The study, which surveyed about 1,500 government workers in Massachusetts," was published in The American Journal of Managed Care.  

"Those who knew their co-payments were more likely to have more office visits and fewer emergency room visits, which are typically more costly, according to the study. 'If people are more aware of their overall health care costs and how the different types of care have different costs, then people will use the health care system more efficiently,' said Amy Lischko, the lead author of the report and former commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Health Care Finance and Policy" (4/7).