Enrollment in Consumer-Directed Health Plans Up 18% In 2011

In 2011, enrollment in consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) grew by 18%, from 28 million in 2010 to 33 million in 2011. CDHPs include high-deductible health plans with linked health savings accounts (HSA) and plans with linked health reimbursement accounts (HRA). Enrollment in CDHPs has been steadily increasing from 7% of employees with employer-sponsored health plans selecting a CDHP in 2008, to 13% in 2011. A HSA-linked plan enables consumers to pay for medical expenses using funds from a tax-favored savings account as long as the plan meets deductible and out-of-pocket limits. The consumer . . .