AAPPO Study: Consumer-Driven Health Plans Grew By 15 Percent Last Year

News provided by

American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations

Jun 10, 2014, 10:15 ET

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Enrollment in consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) grew by 15 percent in 2013, according to a survey released today by the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO).

Enrollment in the plans – which include health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements and flexible spending accounts – grew from 39 million in 2012 to 45 million in 2013, according to an AAPPO analysis of the Mercer National Survey of Employer Sponsored Health Plans.

"As major changes to the health system loomed last year, employers continued to look to consumer-directed health plans to offer the affordability, flexibility and stability to ensure their workforces get the care they need," said Karen Greenrose, AAPPO President and CEO.

Among the survey's findings:

  • 23 percent of all employers offered CDHPs last year – up from 22 percent in 2012.
  • 39 percent of large employers (500 or more employees) offered CDHPs in 2013 – up from 36 percent the year before.
  • 23 percent of small employers offered CDHPs – up from 22 percent in 2012.
  • 63 percent of the largest employers (more than 20,000 employees) offered CDHPs in 2013 – up from 32 percent.
  • 35 percent of all employers expect to offer CDHPs in 2016, with 64 percent of large employers expecting to offer them.

The increase continues represents a more than doubling of employers that offer CDHPs since 2008 – from 10 percent in 2008 to 23 percent.

"Consumer-driven health plans offer patients more control over how their health dollars are spent while providing employers more affordability and stability in the cost of covering their workforces," said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). "In a challenging health care environment, these plans and the PPO networks they are built on provide a strong foundation for affordable care."

To view the entire study – along with an infographic and video about the report –  please visit http://aappo.org/Resources/Research.aspx.

About the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO)
Founded in 1983, AAPPO (www.aappo.org) is the leading national association of preferred provider organizations (PPOs).  PPOs put control for medical decisions in the hands of the physician and patient, resulting in easy access to the right care, provided by the right doctor, at the right time. AAPPO creates a forum for discussion and dissemination of PPO best practices.

SOURCE American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations