CIGNA CDHC Results
Cigna has released the latest of its reports on the experience of its consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs). The study of 655,000 CIGNA enrollees found:
- Immediate and sustainable cost savings: CDHP medical costs are 14% less than traditional plans the first year, cumulative cost savings rise to 19% in the second year, 23% in the third year and 26% in the fourth year.
- Higher levels of care: People with CIGNA Choice Fund received recommended care at compliance rates that were similar or better than those covered by traditional CIGNA health plans. Key indicators such as use of preventive care, evidence-based care and disease management program participation were measurably better among those in CIGNA CDHPs than those in PPOs and HMOs.
- Less cost for those with chronic conditions: Medical cost trend was substantially less for CIGNA Choice Fund customers with hypertension (27% less), joint disease (21% less), and diabetes (15% less), than for individuals with either of those diseases in traditional CIGNA health plans. According to the study data, these cost savings were achieved without sacrificing care.
This is irrelevant trivia. The only measures that can restore economy, efficiency and innovation to our battered healthcare system are:
1. End the government-imposed Marxist economic policies (via Medicare & Medicaid) of price controls and central planning.
2. End the massive abuse of insurance, and it’s resulting payer-consumer disconnect, and
The last time the US had a free-market healthcare economy without widespread abuse of insurance was in the first half of the 20th century. Then healthcare costs were below 5% of GDP. Even today, with all the technology advances, we could and should have the world’s best healthcare system for well under 10% of GDP. Why was the healthcare industry singled out by the US Congress for “Sovietization?” The reasons require some history (see link below), but it should only take Economics 101 and a smidgen of common sense to realize it make NO SENSE to continue forcing Marxist economic policies on our county’s largest economic sector.
Dan Jones, MD
This is another piece of evidence in a long string of studies that show that consumer driven health care works.
I agree with Tom. The evidence keeps mounting. Are we to the point where we can say it is overwhelming?
Every real study (using actual data) I have seen on CDHC has been positive.