As consumers of health care, they bring unique characteristics to the overall study of generational attitudes and behaviors in the area of selecting and working with health plans, doctors, hospitals and a range of other health care providers.

The following is a sample of how "Gen Y" stacks up against the rest of the consumer profile, as determined by age group (Generation X, Baby Boomers and Seniors):

• 70 percent of Gen Y have a relationship with a primary care physician (compared to 82 percent of the survey population overall)
• 10 percent have been hospitalized over the past 24 months (compared to 15 percent overall)
• 14 percent have used an alternative approach to medical treatment (20 percent overall)
• 10 percent substituted alternative for traditional therapies (9 percent)
• 9 percent used mail order or online (21 percent overall)
• 22 percent used walk-in clinics (16 percent overall)
• 25 percent switched doctors in the past 24 months (18 percent overall)
• 21 percent maintain a personal health record (25 percent overall)
• 20 percent reviewed a health plan website for information (26 percent overall)
• 51 percent would travel abroad for a medical procedure if it saved money (39 percent overall)
• 60 percent made changes to health coverage in the past 24 months (38 percent overall)
• 47 percent sought information on their coverage (54 percent overall)
• 63 percent said drug coverage influences their plan decisions (76 percent overall)

Related Content:
Survey: 2008 Survey of Health Care Consumers
Fact Sheet Library: Health Care Consumerism
Overview: Center for Health Solutions