Blue Cross Survey
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has released its 2008 survey of member experience in CD Health plans. There is a lot of information here, not all of it positive:
- 70% of consumers report that an HSA-eligible product is (now) available to either them or their spouse/partner.
Approximately 25% of consumers who are given a choice of plans choose an HSA-eligible product, but the percentage choosing an HRA has dropped from 23% in 2007 to 12% in 2008.- There is very little difference between those who choose a CDHP plan and those who choose a non-CDHP in terms of age, income, or health status.
- People in HSAs are far more likely to be concerned about the cost of care, to track their expenses, and to choose lower-cost options for treatment. They are also more likely to participate in wellness programs.
- Both groups are equally likely to comply with treatment for prevention and for chronic care, but people in CDHPs saved a lot of money due to reduced utilization – $616 per member for those who had a choice of plan and $1,074 per member in a full replacement group.
- The percentage of people in an HSA-eligible program who do not plan to open an account has grown from 29% in 2007 to 46% in 2008. Nearly half of them (48%) say they don't see the value in having an account and 30% say they can't afford to make a contribution.
I think this is also hapening in non Blue Cross plans. A lot of people are opting for high deductible plans but not opening an HSA, or — if they do open an HSA — not putting any money in it.
Joe, that defeats the whole idea of the health savings account. There have always been high deductible plans. What is new and different about the HSA is that it allows people to manage their own health care dollars!!!
People will only contribute pre-tax dollars, and only if in a high enough bracket. I wonder how many in the survey started out with an employer contributing to the HSA, and later stayed with the plan during a cutback or layoff. The high-deductible plan would be a good choice for COBRA, even though further contributions to the account might not be.
Regardless, it would be worthwhile to know the back story. Maybe employers who offer HSAs are more likely to experience cutbacks.
Joe, that defeats the whole idea of the health savings account.
Obama will be changing the rules when it comes to health savings accounts…that’s a fact.
More and more insurance companies are insisting on preventative care, requiring physicals, blood work, etc. You need to do what they ask, or could lose your benefits. Mine is doing the same thing.~~
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2448543