Even with web tools to help, many consumers are still health insurance illiterate

More consumer are turning to mobile technology first to evaluate health conditions and a growing number are interested in using the internet to access medical care, says a new survey from health insurer UnitedHealth Group.

But many consumers also are barely literate when it comes to understanding the basics of health insurance. The August survey of 1,006 U.S. adults age 18 and older finds that 72% of consumers polled believe they are ready for the annual benefits enrollment process, which for many employees or consumers buying or renewing a healthcare policy on the public exchange market occurs from October through December.

But only 9% of respondents successfully defined all four basic health insurance concepts: plan premium, deductible, co-insurance and out-of-pocket maximum, up slightly from 7% a year ago, UnitedHealth says. “This survey highlights why UnitedHealth continues to develop new ways to simplify the healthcare experience and make it easier and more convenient for people to access care,” says chief consumer officer Rebecca Madsen.

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