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Survey: Proliferation of health savings accounts yields positives for patients

Patient Financial Services Weekly Advisor, April 22, 2005

The majority of health savings accounts (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA) are being offered by insurers through established provider networks, so those enrolled in the plans will be charged the same price for care as those with other types of health insurance, according to a survey of insurers released by the Federation of American Hospitals (FAH) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) April 20.

The survey found that 95% of HSA and HRA enrollment is in plans that build on the insurance company's existing provider network and negotiated rates, and concluded that patients with this type of coverage will not be treated differently by hospitals than those who have more traditional health insurance or HMO coverage.

Previous studies said that the share of total health plan premiums accounted for by HSAs and HRAs has more than doubled within the last year, according to the associations' joint press release. Seven out of 10 employers expect to offer consumer-driven coverage by next year.

To read the joint FAH/AHA press release, click here.

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