Managed Care - April 2008 - (Page 10) NEWS AND COMMENTARY Consumer-Directed Plans See Bump in Enrollment he number of companies that offer a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) to their employees is steadily, albeit slowly, increasing. Nearly half of large employers say they have offered a CDHP to their employees, and the number of employees enrolled in the programs has nearly doubled over the last two years, according to results of a survey by Watson Wyatt and the National Business Group on Health. Findings from similar surveys by the Center for Studying Health System Change and the Commonwealth Fund seem to echo these findings. National surveys suggest that while CDHPs — typically high-deductible health plans accompanied by either a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or health savings account (HSA) — are being offered by a growing number of employers, enrollment in these products constituted just 5 percent of total enrollment in employer-sponsored health plans in 2007, according to the center. In the Watson Wyatt/National Business Group on Health survey, of the 453 large employers who participated, 47 percent currently offer a CDHP; that’s up from 39 percent in 2007 and 33 percent in 2006. By 2009, 54 percent of companies plan to offer a CDHP. With more employers offering this type of health plan, the number of employees who enroll rises as well. According to the survey, CDHP enrollment is about 15 percent in companies that offer it, up from 10 percent in 2007 and 8 percent in 2006. Only 6 percent of companies report 100 percent enrollment in a CDHP, but that number is projected to rise to 9 percent in 2009. But does enrolling in a CDHP really save money? Of those companies with at least half of their workforce enrolled in a CDHP, the two-year median medical and pharmacy cost increase was about 3.6 percent. That’s about half of the increase for companies with no CDHP offering. Overall, companies with a CDHP experienced a two-year cost increase of 5.5 percent, versus 7 percent without a CDHP. “As popularity of the consumerdriven approach grows, companies will be able to better manage costs and workers will take a more active interest in their own health care,” says Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health. “Actively involving more workers in their health care and giving them the resources to make educated decisions can be a challenge, but it should be embraced. The end result can be a mutually beneficial system for both companies and their workers.” T message from the trade group: more government regulation to enhance consumer protections for every beneficiary who is considering Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plans. People need to have “complete confidence that they will be given the information they need to make the Medicare coverage decision that is best for them,” says Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of AHIP. The AHIP board also recommends that states be provided additional tools to monitor sales activities. Specifically, AHIP supports the appointment of agents and brokers marketing Medicare Advantage and Part D plans consistent with state law so state insurance regulators know which company an agent or broker is marketing for and can act quickly to address any inquiries or abuses. Headlines On Deadline The majority of physicians surveyed about health care financing by the Indiana University School of Medicine were in favor of government legislation to establish national health insurance. Fifty-nine percent of the 2,200 physicians were in favor, while only 32 percent opposed it Barriers still remain among hospitals, physicians, and health plans when it comes to sharing patient clinical data electronically. A survey by the Center for Studying Health System Change identified two factors that are slowing down adoption of health information exchanges: concerns with data misuse and loss of competitive advantage. These organizations support the electronic sharing of clinical data among independent hospitals, physi- Medicare Advantage Marketing Slammed The board of directors of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) wants additional federal regulation and oversight when it comes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plan marketing activities. The board wants to curb door-to-door marketing, cross-selling, cold calls, and any inducements or hard sells that a beneficiary may experience as he or she decides which Medicare Advantage or Part D plan to choose. It’s a strong 10 MANAGED CARE / APRIL 2008
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