Health Savings Accounts, High-Deductible Plans Jump 18%

Some 13.5 million Americans had health savings account/high-deductible health plans in 2012, an increase of 18% from 2011, according to the latest annual census from America’s Health Insurance Plans, an industry lobbying group.

The large group market, which dominates HSA/HDHP enrollment, grew by 26% to 7.9 million members. The individual and small group markets posted enrollment gains of 5% to 2.5 million members and 9% to 3 million, respectively.

Employers are attracted to HSAs and high -deductible health plans as a way to control burgeoning healthcare costs, explains Larry Boress, president and CEO of the Midwest Business Group on Health. HSAs and CDHPs allow employers to “develop their healthcare budget once a year. They know what that line item cost will be.

The consensus is that employees with controlled spending amounts are more likely to be prudent buyers, cost compare for healthcare services, and spend less.