Survey Finds HSA/High Deductible Plans Fueling HSA Growth Overall

The survey, conducted by the Washington-based trade association America’s Health Insurance Plans and based on the responses of 96 members who comprise nearly all health insurers offering HSAs, found that as of January, 3.17 million people were enrolled in HSA-linked high-deductible plans, up from 1.03 million in March 2005, Business Insurance reported.

While enrollment leaped in all parts of the market, HSA growth – as measured by percentage increase and increase in number of enrollees – was greatest among employers with more than 50 employees. As of January, 679,000 people were enrolled in HSA products offered by employers with more than 50 employees, up from 162,000 in March 2005, a roughly 320% hike.

During that same six-month period, HSA enrollment in the small-group market – businesses with 50 or fewer employees – climbed to 510,000 from 147,000, up nearly 250%. Amid sharp enrollment gains, HSA market penetration by larger employers has soared.

For example, as of January this year, 33% of the roughly 3.2 million people enrolled in HSAs linked to high-deductible plans received coverage from employers with more than 50 employees, up sharply from 19% in March 2005 and just 3% in September 2004.

Copies of the AHIP survey are available at www.ahip.org .