More Americans Enrolled in Consumer Directed Health Plans
According to a new survey released by the Employee Benefit Research Institute,
the number of adults in consumer-directed health plans with health savings
accounts has increased to three percent of the population from two percent in
2007. Enrollment in high-deductible health plans remained at 11 percent.
However, 9.8 million adults ages 21-64 with private insurance enrolled in either
consumer-directed or high-deductible plans were eligible for a Health Savings
Account but had not opened that account.
Consumer-directed plans are
intended to give consumers more information and choices with regards to their
health care spending through a health savings plan that both the employer and
employee can contribute to. High deductible plans provide coverage similar to
catastrophic insurance but with lower monthly premiums, and can also be coupled
with a tax-preferable spending account.
The EBRI survey found that
adults enrolled in consumer-directed health plans were significantly more likely
to have high household income, be in better health, and exhibit healthy behavior
than adults covered by traditional plans.
The survey also found that
individuals enrolled in consumer-directed and high-deductible plans show more
cost-conscious spending behavior in their health care decision making than those
with traditional health insurance.
To read the full EBRI survey, click
here.