Aon Hewitt Survey: More Employers Will Offer High-Deductible Health Plans

The Washington Post reports on an Aon Hewitt survey that indicates high-deductible (or consumer-directed) health plans could become the most common form of coverage offered by companies with 500 or more workers in the next three to five years, as companies continue trying to cut health-care costs. Aon Hewitt said its annual survey of more than 800 large and mid-size U.S. employers found that 56 percent are offering CDHPs as a plan choice and another 30 percent are considering offering one in the next three to five years.

Employers are considering these plans because they make workers aware of how much their care costs, which could help slow growth in health care expenses for companies. Patients tend to think more about what they need and how to get a better deal for it. That means the employee may fill a prescription with a generic drug instead of the pricier brand-name medicine. They also may look for a better deal on an MRI exam instead of heading to the nearest hospital.

Health care expenses and administrative costs for the coverage grew about 4 percent last year for employers with CDHP plans, according to Aon Hewitt. That compares with growth of 6 percent and 7 percent for more traditional health insurance plans with lower deductibles: HMOs and PPOs.