The “Consumer Driven Health Plans: A Cost and Utilization Analysis” examined healthcare spending for people under the age of 65 enrolled in HDHPs from 2010 to 2014.
Here are seven study findings.
1. Out-of-pocket spending for HDHP policyholders was on average 1.5 times higher than those with non-HDHP plans.
2. HDHP policyholders used about 10 percent less healthcare services than non-HDHP policyholders. HDHP policyholders had, on average, 8 percent fewer physician visits than individuals with non-HDHPs.
3. As a result of fewer visits, HDHP policyholders spent on average $520 less per capita on annual healthcare as opposed to non-HDHP policyholders.
4. From 2010 to 2014, HDHP policyholders’ healthcare spending increased $519 dollars per capita. In the same time period, non-HDHP policyholders’ healthcare spending increased $739 per capita.
5. However, HDHP policyholders paid an annual average of $1,030 out-of-pocket compared to $687 for non-HDHP policyholders.
6. Those with HDHPs paid on average $58 more out-of-pocket for physician visits and $50 more for emergency department visits than their non-HDHP counterparts.
7. Individuals ages 19 to 25 with HDHPs used more health services and paid 81 percent more out-of-pocket than their non-HDHP counterparts.
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