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Study shows consumer-driven plans have mixed results

Healthcare Strategist Trend Watch, October 27, 2006

Consumer-driven health plans can reduce healthcare use and lower costs, but may also deter consumers from seeking needed care, according to a study by the Santa Monica, CA-based research firm RAND Corporation. The researchers estimate that if all privately insured, non-elderly Americans switched from low deductible plans to consumer-driven ones, the result would be a one-time healthcare cost reduction of 4%-15%.

The study's authors were concerned, however, that when people pay more out of pocket for healthcare through consumer-driven plans they may hesite to seek care, according to a RAND release. Another concern expressed in the study is that consumer-driven plans may attract only healthy individuals and families, as the results showed that those in consumer-driven plans tend to have higher incomes and are in better health, according to the release.

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