Do You Know How Gen Z Feels about Healthcare?
Study Results: Healthcare’s Newest Consumers’ Perceptions
The oldest members of Generation Z, those born after 1997, will be turning 26 in 2023 and aging off their parents’ health plans. Executed in summer 2022, 434 members of Gen Z responded to Engagys’ survey on their healthcare attitudes. Find out what’s important to them when it comes to their health.
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Survey Demographics
79.3% respondents are 20-26 years old
1.4% under 17
19.4% 17-19
45.9% 20-22
23.7% 23-25
9.7% 26+
All genders and ethnicities are represented with most respondents identifying as female and white.
36.4% of respondents are employed full time.
27.7% employed part-time
7.8% unemployed (currently looking for work)
3.5% unemployed (currently not looking for work)
24.7% student
16.3%
already get health insurance through an employee plan
54.3%
get it through their parents' plan
22.2% have an individual/student plan
7.3% do not have health insurance
Gen Z Uses Extra Benefits
43.6%
of participants reported using a discount provided by their health insurance for things like glasses, gym memberships, or food services.
56.2%
have used a telehealth service with it being most used for routine care visit followed by mental health services and illnesses.
What have you used telehealth services for?
17.9% Illness
22.5% Routine care/Wellness visit
19.1% Counseling and mental health
8.1% Dermatology
8.1% Prescriptions for medicine
Gen Z Wants and Uses Technology Channels
45.7%
of respondents get their health insurance information from the card holder although more than a quarter (26.8%) go to the website.
36.3%
of respondents reported they are not getting any information from their health plan while 27.8% reported getting email communications from their plan.
74.2%
would like information through digital channels.
If it was up to you, how would you choose to be communicated with by your health insurance company?
40.6% emails
33.7% texts
16.9% phone calls
7.1% I do not want to receive communications
1.7% Other
Gen Z Values Health and Wellness
The vast majority of respondents reported personal health and wellness, mental health, and healthy eating and nutrition as either important or very important to them but only 28% think their health plan values their personal and mental health.
The importance of personal health and wellness
The importance of mental health
The importance of healthy eating and nutrition
Only 23.3% of respondents reported that they fully understand healthcare. To best serve Gen Z, health insurance companies could focus on first and foremost, educating this generation about their health plan.
Health insurance companies could also ensure this segment is receiving personalized information through their preferred technology channels, highlighting the mental health and extra benefits available, and emphasizing the commitment to supporting their personal wellness.
Focusing on what’s important to this generation will go a long way in providing a positive member experience to a cohort that makes their opinion known on social media.