10% of CA Insured Opt for High-Deductible Health Plans

"Studies have shown that significant cost sharing may create disincentives for both necessary and unnecessary care," the authors wrote. "While individuals with high-deductible plans may be less likely to utilize the emergency room for care, they may also delay necessary treatment or doctor visits."

The report also states that such high-deductible plans were not limited to PPO insurers, although they had the highest proportion (28%). "Generally, HMO products have much lower cost-sharing requirements than comparable PPOs. However, 14% of commercial HMO members and 12% of commercial Kaiser HMO members reported having a high-deductible plan."

Also, 12% of individuals who were enrolled in employer-based plans that were considered high-deductible.