Health plan deductibles prompt year-end boom

Business is booming at Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis and doctors at Minnesota Gastroenterology are doing 14% more procedures—mostly colonoscopies—in November and December than at the same time a year ago. What gives? It's the Year-End Mini-Boom, a new phenomenon brought on by health insurance plans with deductibles. Early in the year, patients are more likely to hold off getting care because they are paying out of pocket. Later in the year, some have paid enough to reach their deductible and insurance kicks in.