When Given A Choice, Americans Prefer Traditional Over Consumer-Driven Health Plans

While enrollment in consumer-driven health plans has increased in 2006, a recent study shows that 39% of workers covered under HSAs and consumer-driven plans were not offered any other option for job-based coverage. According to the L.A. Times, however, when given a choice, Americans overwhelmingly choose traditional HMO and PPO plans.

Jon Gabel, the author of the study and Vice President of the Center for Studying Health System Change, believes that Americans are not choosing HSAs because they are reluctant to make financial decisions and take that level of responsibility onto themselves. He also notes that the decision to stick with traditional plans may be based solely on dollars and cents - although premiums for the consumer-driven plans are typically cheaper, the increased deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses outweigh any savings.