Table of Contents
Executive Summary
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- The market
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- Figure 1: Forecast of values of premiums in the Canadian health insurance market, 2009-19
- Market factors
- Canadian economy to pick up speed, but many risks remain
- Population changes signal greater opportunity for health insurance
- Increased longevity does not necessarily equate to better health
- The rise of HSAs
- Companies, brands and innovation
- Brand communication
- Brand research and social media
- The consumer
- Satisfaction with health care is reasonably strong
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- Figure 2: Satisfaction with components of government health care, May 2014
- Prescription drug coverage and dental are the most commonly owned insurance types
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- Figure 3: Ownership of supplemental health insurance, May 2014
- Sun Life and Manulife dominate but the rest of the market is fragmented
- Personal life stories and recommendations from friends/family are strong purchase triggers
- Peace of mind and risk avoidance are strong reasons why people buy health insurance
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- Figure 4: Attitudes towards supplemental health insurance, May 2014
- What we think
Issues and Insights
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- Building trust through greater clarity and transparency
- The facts
- The implications
- Winning over the Chinese Canadian consumer
- The facts
- The implications
- Marketing the peace of mind and risk avoidance themes
- The facts
- The implications
- Engaging the disengaged consumer
- The facts
- The implications
Trend Application
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- Trend: Help Me Help Myself
- Trend: Prepare for the Worst
- Trend: Make it Mine
Market Drivers
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- Key points
- Economic overview
- IMF expects the Canadian economy to pick up speed, but many risks remain
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- Figure 5: Canada’s GDP, by quarter, 2008-14
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- Figure 6: Household disposable incomes and savings in Canada, 2008-14
- Figure 7: Canada’s unemployment rate, by gender, 2008-14
- British Columbia has the highest net worth
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- Figure 8: Canada median net worth, by province, 2012
- Demographic overview
- Population count and growth in Canada
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- Figure 9: Share of population of Canada, by territory/province, 2014
- Canada’s population is expected to age in the coming years
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- Figure 10: Population aged 65 years and over in Canada, historical and projected (% of total), 1971-2061
- Figure 11: Projected trends in the age structure of the Canada population, 2014-19
- Minority groups account for less than 20% of Canada’s population
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- Figure 12: Estimated share of population of Canada, by ethnicity, 2014
- Health overview
- Obesity and sedentary lifestyles
- Alzheimer’s/dementia
- Smoking
- Stroke
- Living longer but not necessarily healthier
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- Figure 13: Average life expectancy* and health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE)**, by disease status and gender, 2013
- Overview of the Canadian health care system
- Government Health care expenditure
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- Figure 14: Benchmark performance on wait times for key procedures, 2013
- Increasing popularity of Health Spending Accounts
Strengths and Weaknesses
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- Strengths
- Weaknesses
Market Size and Forecast
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- Key points
- Canada’s health insurance market continues to grow steadily
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- Figure 15: Value of health insurance premiums in Canada, 2009-19
- Forecast
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- Figure 16: Forecast of values of premiums in the Canadian health insurance market, 2009-19
- Forecast methodology
Companies and Products
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- Manulife
- Overview and company information
- Recent activity and innovation
- Sun Life
- Overview and company information
- Recent activity and innovation
- Great-West Life
- Overview and company information
- Recent activity and innovation
- Desjardins
- Overview and company information
- Recent activity and innovation
- Standard Life
- Overview and company information
- Recent activity and innovation
- Blue Cross
- Overview and company information
- Recent activity and innovation
Brand Communication and Promotion
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- Key points
- Spike in health insurance acquisition mail volume
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- Figure 17: Health insurance acquisition mail volume (in millions), by quarter, 2012-14
- BMO, CIBC and Blue Cross remained the top mailers
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- Figure 18: Top health insurance acquisition mailers, by quarter, 2012-14
- Featured campaigns from Mintel Comperemedia
- Canadian Automobile Association Health and Dental Insurance from Manulife
- Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
- Alberta Blue Cross
Brand Research and Social Media
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- Key points
- Market overview
- Key social media metrics
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- Figure 19: Key social media metrics, June 2014
- Brand usage and awareness
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- Figure 20: Brand usage and awareness for selected health insurance providers, June 2014
- Interactions with health insurance providers
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- Figure 21: Interactions with selected health insurance providers, June 2014
- Leading recent online campaigns
- What we think
- Online conversations
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- Figure 22: Online conversations for selected health insurance providers, by day, 12 June 2013-12 June 2014
- Where are people talking about health insurance providers?
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- Figure 23: Online conversations for selected health insurance providers, by page type, 12 June 2013-11 June 2014
- What are people talking about?
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- Figure 24: Topics of conversation around selected health insurance providers, 12 June 2013-11 June 2014
The Consumer – Overall Satisfaction with Government Health Care
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- Key points
- Room for improvement for provincial health care systems
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- Figure 25: Overall satisfaction with government health care, May 2014
- Manitobans are the most satisfied while Quebecers are the least satisfied
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- Figure 26: Satisfaction with government health care by region, May 2014
The Consumer – Satisfaction with Components of Government Health Care
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- Key points
- Quality of care and health care facilities rate the highest for satisfaction
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- Figure 27: Satisfaction with components of government health care, May 2014
- Around a third of Canadians are satisfied with various other components
- Electronic access and waiting times are notable areas for improvement
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- Figure 28: Main drivers of dissatisfaction (% unsatisfied) in Quebec vs. Canada, May 2014
- Higher income earners also more likely to drive dissatisfaction
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- Figure 29: Dissatisfaction with selected components of the health care system, high vs. low income groups, May 2014
The Consumer – Ownership of Supplemental Health Insurance
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- Key points
- Prescription drug coverage and dental are the most commonly owned insurance types
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- Figure 30: Ownership of supplemental health insurance, May 2014
- One in five Canadians have five or more types of supplemental health insurance
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- Figure 31: Repertoire of ownership of types of supplemental health insurance, May 2014
- 25-44s are key for supplementary health care providers
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- Figure 32: Ownership of supplemental health insurance, by age, May 2014
- Men have higher rates of direct purchase
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- Figure 33: Health insurance purchased directly through the insurer, by gender, May 2014
- CHAID analysis: Methodology
- Sub-groups more likely to own supplemental health insurance
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- Figure 34: Supplemental health insurance coverage – CHAID tree output, July 2014
The Consumer – Choice of Provider
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- Key points
- Sun Life and Manulife stand apart in a fragmented market
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- Figure 35: Choice of provider of health insurance, May 2014
- Regionality brings out some discrepancies
- Activity map
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- Figure 36: Activity map and health, by provider of insurance, May 2014
The Consumer – Purchase Decision Factors
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- Key points
- Most Canadians rely on information from their employer
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- Figure 37: Purchase decision factors for supplemental health insurance, May 2014
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- Figure 38: Purchase decision factors, by gender, May 2014
The Consumer – Additional Purchase Triggers
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- Key points
- Incentivized and customisable health care plans are the most likely triggers to purchase additional insurance
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- Figure 39: Purchase triggers that prompt buying additional supplemental health insurance, May 2014
- Access to best-in-class treatment also resonates
- Flexibility and relatability work well with younger Canadians
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- Figure 40: Triggers to purchase additional supplemental health insurance: comparison of the 18-24 age segment to total, May 2014
- Tackling the non-converts
The Consumer – Attitudes towards Supplemental Health Insurance
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- Key points
- Summary of attitudes towards supplemental health insurance
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- Figure 41: Attitudes towards supplemental health insurance, May 2014
- Canadians would like more clarity regarding their coverage
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- Figure 42: Attitudes regarding the level of clarity and transparency of health insurance plans, May 2014
- Peace of mind and risk avoidance are key selling features
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- Figure 43: Attitudes regarding the emotional impact of health insurance, May 2014
- Mixed views of health incentive and flex-plans for many Canadians
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- Figure 44: Attitudes regarding health incentive and flex-plans, May 2014
- Younger Canadians are most likely to question the value and relevance of supplemental health insurance
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- Figure 45: Attitudes towards value and relevance of supplemental health insurance, May 2014
The Consumer – Health Insurance and Chinese Canadians
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- Key points
- Room for improvement when it comes to Chinese Canadians’ satisfaction with the health care system
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- Figure 46: Satisfaction with components of government health care: Chinese Canadians against Whites/Caucasians, May 2014
- Chinese Canadians’ insurance ownership rates higher than Whites/Caucasians’
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- Figure 47: Health insurance ownership rates: Chinese Canadians against Whites/Caucasians, May 2014
- Manulife and Sun Life become even more dominant
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- Figure 48: Choice of insurance provider: Chinese Canadians against Whites/Caucasians, May 2014
- Recommendations and family can resonate strongly with Chinese Canadians
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- Figure 49: Additional purchase triggers: Chinese Canadians against Whites/Caucasians, May 2014
- Flex-plans could resonate with Chinese Canadians
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- Figure 50: Attitudes towards health insurance: Chinese Canadians against Whites/Caucasians, May 2014
The Consumer – Target Groups
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- Key points
- Four target groups
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- Figure 51: Target groups, May 2014
- Precisionists (27%)
- Skeptics (20%)
- Independents (19%)
- Disengaged (34%)
Appendix – Market Drivers
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- Figure 52: Life expectancies at birth and age 65, by gender, Canada, 1901-2012
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Appendix – Market Size and Forecast
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- Figure 53: Best- and worst-case forecasts for the health insurance market, by value, 2014-19
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Appendix – Brand Research and Social Media
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- Brand usage and awareness
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- Figure 54: Brand usage and awareness, May 2014
- Figure 55: CIBC usage and awareness, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 56: BMO usage and awareness, by demographics, May 2014
- Figure 57: Blue Cross Blue Shield usage and awareness, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 58: Sun Life usage and awareness, by demographics, May 2014
- Figure 59: Manulife usage and awareness, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 60: Group Medical Services (GMS) usage and awareness, by demographics, May 2014
- Activities done
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- Figure 61: Activities done, May 2014
- Brand analysis
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- Figure 62: Brand name key social media metrics – BMO, June 2014
- Figure 63: Brand name key social media metrics – CIBC, June 2014
- Figure 64: Brand name key social media metrics – Sun Life, June 2014
- Figure 65: Brand name key social media metrics – Manulife, June 2014
- Figure 66: Brand name key social media metrics – Blue Cross, June 2014
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- Figure 67: Brand name key social media metrics – GMS, June 2014
Appendix – The Consumer – Overall Satisfaction with Government Health Care
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- Figure 68: Overall satisfaction with government health care, May 2014
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- Figure 69: Overall satisfaction with government healthcare, by demographics, May 2014
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Appendix – The Consumer – Satisfaction with Components of the Government Health Care System
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- Figure 70: Satisfaction with components of government health care, May 2014
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- Figure 71: Satisfaction with government health care – Quality of care received from health professionals and Quality of health care facilities (ie. surgeries, equipment etc), by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 72: Satisfaction with government health care – Coverage of services and Prescription drug plan, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 73: Satisfaction with government health care – Accessibility of health care and quality of communication, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 74: Satisfaction with government health care – Continuity and coordination of care and Electronic access to health care, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 75: Satisfaction with government – Wait times for appointments, by demographics, May 2014
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Appendix – The Consumer – Ownership of Supplemental Health Insurance
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- Figure 76: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance, May 2014
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- Figure 77: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Prescription drug coverage, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 78: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Dental insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 79: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Optical insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 80: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Out-of-country/travel insurance that covers any medical costs incurred while outside of Canada, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 81: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance– Emergency ambulance services, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 82: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) – Pays a set amount to beneficiaries in the event of your death or if you are unable to work due to a disability, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 83: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Long-term care insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 84: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Short-term disability insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 85: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Critical illness and life insurance (CI and life), which pays out a lump sum upon the diagnosis of certain medical conditions, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 86: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – International health insurance, which covers the cost of private medical treatment when living/working abroad, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 87: Ownership of types of supplemental health insurance – Health cash plan, which pays cash towards the cost of everyday health treatment, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 88: Repertoire of ownership of types of supplemental health insurance, May 2014
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- Figure 89: Repertoire of ownership of types of supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 90: Supplemental health insurance coverage – CHAID table output, July 2014
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Appendix – The Consumer – Choice of Provider
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- Figure 91: Provider of supplemental health insurance, May 2014
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- Figure 92: Leading providers of supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 93: Other providers of supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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Appendix – The Consumer – Purchase Decision Factors
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- Figure 94: Purchase decision factors for supplemental health insurance, May 2014
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- Figure 95: Leading purchase decision factors for supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 96: Other purchase decision factors for supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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Appendix – The Consumer – Additional Purchase Triggers
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- Figure 97: Purchase triggers for additional supplemental health insurance, May 2014
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- Figure 98: Leading purchase triggers for additional supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 99: Next most popular purchase triggers for additional supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 100: Other purchase triggers for additional supplemental health insurance, by demographics, May 2014
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Appendix – The Consumer – Attitudes towards Supplemental Health Insurance
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- Figure 101: Attitudes towards supplemental health insurance, May 2014
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- Figure 102: Agreement with the statements ‘I would prefer health care plans that state clearly what level of coverage I am getting’ and ‘I believe the costs for supplemental health care should be lower’, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 103: Agreement with the statements ‘Supplemental health insurance helps you avoid financial risk during periods of illness and injury’ and ‘Having supplemental health insurance gives me peace of mind as I grow older’, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 104: Agreement with the statements ‘Flex-plans are a smarter choice because they allow you to pick the coverage you want’ and ‘ plans that reward you for leading a healthy lifestyle are fairer than traditional ones’, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 105: Agreement with the statements ‘Incentivised health plans are pointless because illness can affect anyone, even those leading a healthy lifestyle’ and ‘I don't think health incentive programmes are measured carefully enough’, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 106: Agreement with the statements ‘Supplemental health insurance is only worth the money if one is prone to illness’ and ‘Supplemental health insurance is only relevant to those who can't afford to be off work’, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 107: Agreement with the statements ‘Supplemental health insurance is not worth the cost’ and ‘Non-flex-plans are better because they cover everything’, by demographics, May 2014
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Appendix – The Consumer – Health Insurance and Chinese Canadians
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- Figure 108: Selected demographics by total population against Chinese Canadians, May 2014
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Appendix – Consumer – Target Groups
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- Figure 109: Target groups, May 2014
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- Figure 110: Target groups, by demographics, May 2014
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- Figure 111: Overall satisfaction with government health care, by target groups, May 2014
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- Figure 112: Satisfaction with government health care, by target groups, May 2014
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- Figure 113: Ownership of types of supplemental health care, by target groups, May 2014
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- Figure 114: Provider of supplemental health care, by target groups, May 2014
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- Figure 115: Purchase decision factors for supplemental health insurance, by target groups, May 2014
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- Figure 116: Purchase triggers for additional supplemental health insurance, by target groups, May 2014
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- Figure 117: Attitudes towards supplemental health insurance, by target groups, May 2014
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