As the 2013 open enrollment benefit season approaches, consumers say choosing health-care benefits is among the most difficult of life decisions, second only to saving for retirement, according to a recent survey.

According to Aetnas Empowered Health Index Survey, 88% of respondents blamed the information regarding their benefits being too complicated for their difficulty in choosing the right plan. Whats more, 85% say the information is conflicting and 83% of survey participants say it is difficult to know which plan is right for them.

Of the 15% of respondents who did not have health insurance, 36% reported they didnt have enough information to shop for it, and 24% are not confident in their ability to choose the right plan.

Complicated information leads to poor health-care choices which cause costly problems. The survey says many Americans continue to dip into their savings and skip recommended medical treatments to cope with the high cost of health care:

Experts claim these challenges will only become more daunting amid escalating premiums and services as consumers remain uncertain about how the presidential election will impact health-care reform.

According to the survey, slightly more Americans, 43%, have an unfavorable opinion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, (PPACA) than support it, 41%but 75% of survey respondents believe that all of PPACAs key elements are important for them, individually, and for their families.

The Aetna survey, conducted in July among 1,500 adults, also looked at a wide range of behaviors demonstrating the degree to which consumers use tools and resources to actively make health plan, physician and other medical choices.

Despite the headwinds they are facing, consumers are working to improve the situation.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires plans to simplify their summary of benefit choices providing side-by-side comparative information for offered plans, says Mark Cesarano, managing consultant at health-care consulting firm Savitz.

Health plans are responding, and companies like Aetna are taking the lead by continually evolving and enriching their educational materials, interactive tools and resources. For example, Aetnas Plan for Your Health website provides educational articles, cost calculators and checklists. Other health insurers are also improving their websites and customer service to provide detailed, yet understandable information to customers.

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How to Pick a Health Care Plan that Fits Your Lifestyle and Budget