Lessons from the Frontlines: Strategies for Supporting Informed Consumer Decision-Making in the Health Insurance Marketplace

As consumers gain familiarity with their health coverage, they are increasingly looking for help selecting plans that align with their financial circumstances and health care needs. In response, policymakers are working to improve the accessibility and transparency of information on key plan features and to develop consumer-friendly tools that make it easier to compare and select health plans. In light of growing interest in how best to support consumer decision-making in the marketplace, this qualitative analysis offers recommendations for improving plan comparison and selection processes. This new report is based on interviews with national consumer assistance experts and navigators in California, Colorado, Florida and Illinois.