Consumer Driven Health Plans Cover More Employees than HMOs
According to a press release, CDHPs grew at a rate of 33.9% this past year and now cover more employees (15.4%) than HMO plans (13.6%). The Northeast region of the country had the largest concentration of CDHPs (23%), followed by the North Central region (20.1%).
The average cost increase for all CDHPs at 6.3% was lower than that of the average of all plan types, which increased 7.3% this year, the press release said.
Employers often offset the higher out-of-pocket costs of CDHPs by offering employees a health reimbursement account (HRA) or a health savings account (HSA) and contributing funds. The survey found the average employer contribution to an HRA was $1,310 (up from $1,209 in 2008) for a single employee and $2,502 for a family (up from $2,274 in 2008).
Other findings from the 2009 UBA Health Plan Survey included:
- PPO plans have nearly two-thirds of all enrolled employees (63.9%);
- Fee For Service Plans are all but extinct, with only 0.4% of employees enrolled;
- The average employee contribution for plans with contributions for all plan types is $105 for single and $419 for family;
- More than three-fourths of all wellness plans (78.4%) offered a health risk assessment;
- More than two-thirds (67.2%) of all family plans without a deductible are located in the Northeast and West;
- Of all plans in the Northeast, 86.6% have 100% coinsurance; and
- 52.7% of all covered employees also elected to cover their dependents.
The 2009 UBA Health Plan Survey will be available to the public after November 1. More information is at www.UBAbenefits.com .