Enrollment in ‘consumer-driven’ health plans lags

Health plans that feature high deductibles and pre-tax health savings accounts are being heavily promoted by insurers as a means to lower costs by giving consumers greater control on how their health care dollars are spent (Source: “Consumer-driven plans slow to gather steam,” Business First of Columbus, June 27, 2008).

Nationally, however, only about 5 percent of covered employees have signed up for a “consumer-driven” plan. "Consumer-driven plans have established a foothold in the employer market, but they haven't grown as much as one might think, given all the attention that they receive," said Gary Claxton, Vice President of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Still, Ohio insurance executives contend that consumer-driven plans will continue to gain popularity as more employees become familiar with them.