Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and Experiences
Managed competition is a key driver in healthcare systems in countries like Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. Trust in health insurers is vital but currently low in The Netherlands. This may be due to perceptions regarding profit motives, negative experiences, media coverage, and a lack of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Market Access & Health Policy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2001-6689/13/2/29 |
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| author | Frank J. P. van der Hulst Sanne Huijgen Anne E. M. Brabers Judith D. de Jong |
| author_facet | Frank J. P. van der Hulst Sanne Huijgen Anne E. M. Brabers Judith D. de Jong |
| author_sort | Frank J. P. van der Hulst |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Managed competition is a key driver in healthcare systems in countries like Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. Trust in health insurers is vital but currently low in The Netherlands. This may be due to perceptions regarding profit motives, negative experiences, media coverage, and a lack of understanding of insurers’ roles. This study explores how enrollees perceive health insurers and how the aforementioned factors contribute to these perceptions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants from the Nivel Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel in March and April 2023. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step method for inductive thematic analysis. Participants generally view health insurers positively in terms of managing finances and ensuring care accessibility. However, some perceive insurers as profit-driven and prioritising cost reduction over individual needs, leading to dissatisfaction. Negative experiences and media coverage also shape these perceptions. Participants believe that insurers should ensure care accessibility and quality, distribute costs fairly, provide guidance, and prioritise preventive measures. To foster trust, insurers should communicate their non-profit status and use of benefits, increase transparency in purchasing decisions, and maintain clear communication about payment obligations. Enhancing communication about their contributions to healthcare and raising awareness of their broader roles may also help build trust. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-62dd7dcb5725479bb275dd162c2d7616 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2001-6689 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Market Access & Health Policy |
| spelling | doaj-art-62dd7dcb5725479bb275dd162c2d76162025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGJournal of Market Access & Health Policy2001-66892025-06-011322910.3390/jmahp13020029Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and ExperiencesFrank J. P. van der Hulst0Sanne Huijgen1Anne E. M. Brabers2Judith D. de Jong3Nivel, The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The NetherlandsNivel, The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The NetherlandsNivel, The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The NetherlandsNivel, The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The NetherlandsManaged competition is a key driver in healthcare systems in countries like Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. Trust in health insurers is vital but currently low in The Netherlands. This may be due to perceptions regarding profit motives, negative experiences, media coverage, and a lack of understanding of insurers’ roles. This study explores how enrollees perceive health insurers and how the aforementioned factors contribute to these perceptions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants from the Nivel Dutch Health Care Consumer Panel in March and April 2023. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step method for inductive thematic analysis. Participants generally view health insurers positively in terms of managing finances and ensuring care accessibility. However, some perceive insurers as profit-driven and prioritising cost reduction over individual needs, leading to dissatisfaction. Negative experiences and media coverage also shape these perceptions. Participants believe that insurers should ensure care accessibility and quality, distribute costs fairly, provide guidance, and prioritise preventive measures. To foster trust, insurers should communicate their non-profit status and use of benefits, increase transparency in purchasing decisions, and maintain clear communication about payment obligations. Enhancing communication about their contributions to healthcare and raising awareness of their broader roles may also help build trust.https://www.mdpi.com/2001-6689/13/2/29trusthealth insurersmanaged competitionhealthcare systemenrolleestasks |
| spellingShingle | Frank J. P. van der Hulst Sanne Huijgen Anne E. M. Brabers Judith D. de Jong Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and Experiences Journal of Market Access & Health Policy trust health insurers managed competition healthcare system enrollees tasks |
| title | Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and Experiences |
| title_full | Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and Experiences |
| title_fullStr | Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and Experiences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and Experiences |
| title_short | Exploring Trust in Health Insurers: Insights from Enrollees’ Perceptions and Experiences |
| title_sort | exploring trust in health insurers insights from enrollees perceptions and experiences |
| topic | trust health insurers managed competition healthcare system enrollees tasks |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2001-6689/13/2/29 |
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