More and more firms are turning to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to cut costs. But there’s some compelling evidence this option could lead to some major long-term problems.
First, the positives: HDHPs do significantly cut costs.
When people switch to an HDHP with a deductible of at least $1,000 per person, health spending drops by an average of 14% – according to a recent study by the American Journal of Managed Care.
The problem: Employees enrolled in HDHPs tend to cut back on the important preventive care that helps to prevent costly long-term problems down the road.
In fact, the AJMA found families enrolled in HDHPs significantly scaled back the number of immunizations, cancer screenings and routine tests for diabetes they received.
If your company does decide to offer an HDHP, it’s probably a good idea to remind employees about the importance of receiving preventive care on a regular basis.
