Nearly 10 million employees enrolled in consumer-directed or high-deductible health plans this year, states the 2008 Consumer Engagement in Health Care survey from the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research institute.
Participants in CDHPs and HDHPs are likely to have higher incomes and be in better health than those enrolled in traditional medical offerings like PPO and HMO-style plans, the survey found.
Major findings in the 2008 survey show that enrollment in consumer-directed plans now totals three percent of the total population, up from two percent in 2007. Enrollment in high-deductible plans remained stable at 11%. Just under 18 million adults aged 21-64 with private insurance are enrolled in these plan types.
Among the 13.4 million consumers with a high deductible plan, however, 42% report that they do not have a health savings account, despite eligibility.
High household income is a common factor amongst those in consumer-driven or high-deuctible style plans. In 2008, 40% of CDH participants had over $100,000 in household income, up from 22% in 2005.
High deductible plan holders are also in generally better health than those with traditional coverage. The survey found that they were significantly less likely to smoke and significantly more likely to exercise. CDH and HDH plan holders are also more likely to consider costs when making health care decisions, such as asking doctors to prescribe generic drugs when available.
Between 2006 and 2007, CDH and HDH participants appear to have closed the satisfaction gap in quality of care. Previously, CDH and HDH participants report being less satisfied than traditional enrollees. The gap in quality-of-care satisfaction rates remained between traditional enrollees and high-deductible enrollees.
Approximately 4,500 individuals participated in the survey, conducted by in August 2008.
