An Employee Benefit Research Institute’s (EBRI) brief presents EBRI survey data finding slight enrollment increases in consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) during 2010.  The survey found that enrollment in CDHPs among privately insured individuals increased from 4 percent in 2009 to 5 percent in 2010, while enrollment in HDHPs rose from 13 percent to 14 percent over the same period.  The authors note that CDHP enrollees are more likely than those enrolled in traditional health plans to exhibit cost-conscious behavior, such as seeking generic drugs and discussing treatment options and costs with their physician. 

From the report:

This Issue Brief presents findings from the 2010 EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. This study is based on an online survey of 4,508 privately insured adults ages 21–64 to provide nationally representative data regarding the growth of consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), and the impact of these plans and consumer engagement more generally on the behavior and attitudes of adults with private health insurance coverage.

ENROLLMENT LOW BUT GROWING: The survey finds continued slow growth in consumer-driven health plans: In 2010, 5 percent of the population was enrolled in a CDHP, up from 4 percent in 2009. Enrollment in HDHPs increased from 13 percent in 2009 to 14 percent in 2010. The 5 percent of the population with a CDHP represents 5.7 million adults ages 21–64 with private insurance, while the 14 percent with a HDHP represents 17.2 million people. Among the 17.2 million individuals with an HDHP, 37 percent (or 6.3 million) reported that they were eligible for an HSA but did not have such an account. Overall, 12.1 million adults ages 21–64 with private insurance, representing 9.5 percent of that market, were either in a CDHP or were in an HDHP that was eligible for an HSA but had not opened the account.

Full Report: Findings From the 2010 EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey (PDF | 627 KB)

Employee Benefit Reserach Institute. (2010). Findings from the 2010 EBRI/MGA Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey. Fronstin, P.