More than twice as many people value the opinions of friends and family for health care provider choices than turn to online ratings for doctors’ bedside manner, waiting times, or clinical quality, according to the Altarum Institute Survey of Consumer Health Care Opinions, Fall 2013, released on January 8, 2014. 1 in 3 consumers also looks into the cost and quality of services recommended by nurses, doctors, labs and hospitals before choosing a provider. However, most people (4 in 5) say they are comfortable asking their doctor about how much treatment will cost: 43% are “very comfortable,” and 38% somewhat comfortable, About one-half of consumers have asked about cost before a health visit, a percentage that has stayed relatively flat since the Fall 2011. More younger people under 54 tend to ask about health care cost and quality than people over 55: About one-third of people under 55 look into cost and quality, compared to 23% of people 55 and over. Read more: http://healthpopuli.com/2014/01/13/health-costs-and-wellness-can-digital-tools-bridge-the-gap-altarums-fall-2013-consumer-survey/

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