EBRI cautions that there may be outside factors driving the health and cost-conscious behavior of those enrolled in high-deductible plans. “HDHP enrollees have a higher level of education than traditional plan enrollees, consider themselves to be in very good health, and receive a higher level of income,” said Paul Fronstin, Director of Health Education, Employee Benefits Research Institute. “It is important to FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE remember that these advantages may drive people to select the HDHP option.” In addition, those with higher incomes indicated that they were less financially secure than those earning less. This could be due Contact: to higher expenses and student loan debt associated with higher levels of education. Betsy Jaffe Methodology Director, Marketing and Public Relations The 2018 survey was conducted online August 10?23, using the I Epsos mployee consum Beer n p efane it Re l. A se tar otal ch of In 2, stit 010 ute adults with private health insurance coverage through an employer, purchased dip rer ct elss y f -m rom ed a c ia@ebri.or arrier, or g purchased through a government exchange participated in the survey. However, 85 percent of survey 202.775.6347 participants received coverage through an employer. The data were weighted by gender, age, education, region, income, and race/ethnicity to reflect the actual proportions in the population ages 21–64 with EBRI Finds High Deductible Health Plan Enrollees More Engaged With Their private health insurance coverage. Health Care Than Traditional Health Plan Enrollees Fourteenth Annual Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey Uncovers More Cost- About EBRI: Conscious, Information-Seeking Consumers The Employee Benefit Research Institute is a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute based in Washington, D.C. – December 20, 2018 — The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), a private, Washington, DC, that focuses on health, savings, retirement, and financial security issues. EBRI does not nonpartisan, nonprofit research group, and Greenwald & Associates, a full-service market research firm, lobby and does not take policy positions. The work of EBRI is made possible by funding from its members th just released their 14 annual Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey (Consumer Engagement and sponsors, who include a broad range of public, private, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations. For Survey) aimed at examining consumer engagement and value-based health insurance design. This year, more information go to www.ebri.org the study also took a closer look at national data on the growth of high-deductible plans and their impact on the behavior and attitudes of health care consumers with employment-based coverage or individually About Greenwald & Associates: purchased coverage. Founded in 1985, Greenwald & Associates is a full-service market research firm with unique industry expertise in financial services, employee benefits & healthcare. Visit their website to learn more. Employers have been seeking ways to manage health care cost increases for several years. One notable trend has been the movement toward increasing deductibles. According to the Centers for Disease C ontrol and Prevention, between 2007 and 2018, the percentage of individuals under age 65 enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHP) (defined as plans with deductibles of at least $1,350 for individual coverage and $2,700 for family coverage in 2018) increased from 17.4 percent to 46 percent, a 264 percent increase. By 2018, nearly one-half of the people enrolled in an HDHP were in a plan that was paired with a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP). This could be either a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). High Deductible Plan Enrollees Behave Differently Than Enrollees in Traditional Health Plans The 2018 Consumer Engagement Survey found that HDHP enrollees are more engaged in their health care than traditional plan enrollees. They are more likely to seek cost and quality information and to exhibit cost-conscious behavior. For instance, HDHP enrollees are more likely to research doctors and hospitals, inquire about generic drug options, seek less costly treatment solutions, negotiate lower prices for services, and ask questions about coverage for specific medications. They are also more likely to create a budget for medical expenses, use online cost-tracking tools offered by healthcare providers, and take preventative measures to preserve health, including enrolling in wellness programs. Differences in Behavior May Result From Factors Beyond Plan Type