Journal article
Effects of health savings account-eligible plans on utilization and expenditures
The American journal of managed care, Vol.17(1), pp.79-86
01/2011
PMID: 21348571
Abstract
To assess the impact of a health savings account (HSA)-eligible plan on utilization and expenditures in an employer-sponsored Midwestern health plan which offered a traditional plan from 2003 through 2004 that was fully replaced by an HSA-eligible plan in 2005 and 2006.
Retrospective pre-post design with a control group.
Medical and pharmacy claims of plan members younger than 65 years who were continuously enrolled throughout the 4-year study period were used to evaluate the impact of switching to the HSA-eligible plan. Expenditure and utilization measures were compared with those for a control group covered by employers in the same industry and geographic location, while controlling for patient characteristics.
The HSA-eligible plan was associated with significantly lower total expenditures (-17.4%), fewer and less costly office visits (-13.6% and -20.3%, respectively), fewer emergency department (ED) visits (-20.1%), lower pharmacy expenditures (-29.2%), lower expenses per drug (-27.9%), a reduced likelihood of mammograms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55, P <.05) and Papanicolaou tests (OR = 0.66, P <.05), and a borderline significant reduction in routine physical exams (OR = 0.76, P <.10). The HSA-eligible plan also was associated with increased outpatient facility expenditures (5.1%, P <.05).
Employer-sponsored HSA-eligible plans appear to be associated with lower healthcare expenditures and/or utilization, particularly for office visits, ED visits, and pharmacy. However, they also may discourage preventive care, leading to increased long-term medical costs. Employers offering HSA-eligible plans should ensure that there are no financial barriers for preventive services.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effects of health savings account-eligible plans on utilization and expenditures
- Creators
- Mary E Charlton - Rural Health Resource Center, Iowa City, IA 52246, USA. mary.charlton@va.govBarcey T LevyRobin R HighJohn E SchneiderJohn M Brooks
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The American journal of managed care, Vol.17(1), pp.79-86
- Publisher
- United States
- PMID
- 21348571
- ISSN
- 1088-0224
- eISSN
- 1936-2692
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2011
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy; Health Management and Policy; Epidemiology; Family and Community Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9983996089002771
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