Active choice, implicit defaults, and the incentive to choose

Publication date: Available online 15 February 2019Source: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision ProcessesAuthor(s): John Beshears, James J. Choi, David Laibson, Brigitte C. MadrianAbstractHome-delivered prescriptions have no delivery charge and lower copayments than prescriptions picked up at a pharmacy. Nevertheless, when home delivery is offered on an opt-in basis, the take-up rate is only 6%. We study a program that makes active choice of either home delivery or pharmacy pick-up a requirement for insurance eligibility. The program introduces an implicit default for those who don’t make an active choice: pharmacy pick-up without insurance subsidies. Under this program, 42% of eligible employees actively choose home delivery, 39% actively choose pharmacy pick-up, and 19% make no active choice and are assigned the implicit default. Individuals who financially benefit most from home delivery are more likely to choose it. Those who benefit least from insurance subsidies are more likely to make no active choice and lose those subsidies. The implicit default incentivizes people to make an active choice, thereby playing a key role in choice architecture.

Source: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes - February 15, 2019 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research