Benefits October 1, 2007

Survey Shows CDHP Enrollees More Actively Manage Health and Expenses

October 1, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A new survey from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) indicates employees enrolled in consumer directed health plans (CDHPs) are more engaged in wellness programs and are more likely to plan and save for health care expenses than those in traditional health care coverage.
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In a press release on the survey findings, BCBSA said its 2007 CDHP Member Experience Survey found consumers eligible for health savings accounts (HSAs) were 17% more likely to participate in an exercise program than those enrolled in non-CDHP products. In addition, they were also more likely to engage in the following wellness programs: smoking cessation (20% vs. 6%), stress management (22% vs. 8%), and nutrition and diet programs (27% vs. 12%).

Sixty-three percent of CDHP consumers surveyed tracked their health care expenses and 47% said they are currently saving for future health expenses, according to the press release. Only 43% of non-CDHP consumers said they track health care expenses and only 18% are said they are saving for their future health care expenditures.

Survey findings also indicated CDHP consumers are more likely to seek information about insurance as well as about provider (doctor and hospital) costs and quality. Consumers enrolled or eligible for an HSA reported they are not forgoing care more often than consumers that receive traditional health care coverage.

The CDHP Member Experience Survey was conducted by Knowledge Networks for BCBSA in August 2007 among 3,000 consumers enrolled in Blue Cross and Blue Shield CDHPs, non-Blue CDHPs, and non-CDHP health plans. CDHP participants are defined as consumers enrolled in HSA-eligible health plans.

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