Health Literacy Month is an opportunity to highlight how understanding health information and the systems that support care impact our well-being. One critical part of health literacy is knowing how health insurance works.
Many people, including health plan members, patients, and even medical professionals, find health insurance confusing. Questions such as “Why do I owe money for this visit?” or “How much will this procedure cost?” are common. When members and providers lack clarity about how insurance works, it can lead to delays in care, unnecessary costs, or missed preventive services.
Health insurance literacy refers to a person’s ability to understand, choose, and use a health plan effectively. It includes knowing what a deductible is, how to find in-network care, and how to evaluate which plan best meets one’s needs.
Studies show that patients with higher health insurance literacy use healthcare services more efficiently. They are more likely to receive preventive care and less likely to delay treatment or seek care in the emergency room for issues that could have been addressed earlier.
At Providence Health Plan, we are committed to helping members understand their benefits and navigate care with ease. By investing in education and promoting health literacy, we can remove barriers, strengthen trust, and ensure that every person has the knowledge and support they need to achieve better health outcomes.
