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Consumers Become More Engaged When Utilizing CDHP Plans Healthcare Plans
Some recent data on Consumer Directed Healthcare Plans (CDHPs) offers further ammunition that they are both popular and useful with little downside to consumers.
What’s more, they indicate a tendency by users to become more engaged in their medical and healthcare efforts.
Jennifer Vachon Executive Director of the Marketing and Consulting Services Group at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, summed up the findings of a recent analysis by her group.
She said, "These findings show us that CDHPs are beginning to deliver on their promise. Our survey shows that CDHPs empower consumers and help them become more engaged in their health care decisions."
Some of the information provided includes:
Of the Blue national accounts, 19% currently offer HSAs and 17% offer HRAs, up from 12% and 10% respectively in 2005. CDHPs are taken up by 19% of employees who are offered HSAs and 35% who are offered HRAs.
The numbers of employees who are likely or very likely to continue their coverage the following year is similar for CDHPs and non-CDHPs.
The age and health status of CDHP and non-CDHP enrollees is very similar, but the HSA-eligible enrollees tend to have somewhat higher incomes and education levels.
HSA enrollees are much more likely to research health information, including:
- Doctor Quality: 20% of HSA enrollees; 14% of non-CDHP enrollees
- Doctor Costs: 14% HSAs; 4% non-CDHPs
- Hospital Quality: 12% HSAs; 7% non-CDHPs
- Hospital Costs: 10% HSAs; 3% non-CDHPs
- Insurance Information: 25% HSAs; 17% non-CDHPs
HSA enrollees are much more likely to plan and save for future health care expenses:
- Track HC Expenses: 63% of HSAs; 43% of non-CDHPs
- Estimate Future HC Expenses: 38% of HSAs; 19% of non-CDHPs
- Save for Future HC Expenses: 47% of HSAs; 18% of non-CDHPs
CDHP enrollees are much more likely to participate in wellness programs:
- Smoking Cessation: 20% of HSAs; 6% of non CDHPs
- Stress Management: 22% of HSAs; 8% of non-CDHPs
- Nutrition Programs: 27% of HSAs; 12% of non-CDHPs
- Exercise Programs: 29% of HSAs; 12% of non-CDHPs
HSA enrollees are no more likely to forego care due to cost:
- Did Not Go To Doctor: 18% of HSAs; 18% of non-CDHPs
- Delayed Treatment: 17% of HSAs; 17% of non-CDHPs
- Delayed Prescription: 15% of HSAs; 15% of non-CDHPs
The survey was conducted by Knowledge Networks of 3,000 people enrolled in Blue and non-Blue CDHPs and non-CDHPs. Ms. Vachon also said a forthcoming study by the Mercer Company will show that the results for HRAs are not as strong as for HSAs.
SOURCE: Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
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