New CDHP Report Available

The number of employers offering a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) has increased in the period from 2005 to 2009, according to a new Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) report.  While fewer small businesses are offering CDHPs as an option, increasing numbers of large employers are adding the cost-savings plan to their menu of health benefits.  Actual enrollment has increased too, with 19.1 million, or 11%, of individuals with private health insurance enrolled in a CDHP.  The study's author, Paul Fronstin, also found that enrollment in CDHPs results in 1.5% savings to the employer.

The complete set of findings are available in the August EBRI issue brief and can be found by clicking here.

Shopping Around for Health Care - New York Times

In today's New York Times, the Patient Money column examines the rising trend of shopping for health care costs, largely in part because of the increasing number of people insured with high deductible health plans.

Find the complete article by clicking here.

EBRI Report on Account-Based Health Plans

In their November edition of EBRI Notes, the Employee Benefit Research Institute reports on the availability, contributions, account balances, and rollovers in account-based health insurance plans from 2006 to 2009. They report that enrollment in consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) continues to rise; the percentage of individuals with employment-based health insurance eligible for enrollment in a CDHP has increased; and three-quarters of workers with family coverage receive employer contributions of over $1,000.

Find the complete report by clicking here.

Minnesota Patients Shop Around for Health Care

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced this week the nation's first web-tool that allows consumers to shop around for health care (consumers see insurers' negotiated rates). The site, mnhealthscores.org was developed by MN Community Measurement, which is a "collaborative of state health providers that collected the data from insurance companies", says a Star Tribune article. The article continues, noting that the site provides the average cost for 103 common medical procedures from 110 providers in the state, about 85 percent of primary care in Minnesota. The payment information supplements the quality data that was already on the site, which provides scores on diabetes, vascular disease, depression, and patient experience.