Forty-six percent say their health costs actually increased, 32% say costs remain the same, and only 11% say health costs are lower with a high deductible plan
Foster City, CA – November 14, 2019 – The hope with high deductible health plans (HDHPs) is that they will reduce health care costs for both employers and employees. Insure.com, a one-stop destination for unbiased, expert advice on health, life and home insurance, just released survey results showing that HDHPs haven’t made much progress lowering costs, at least for consumers.
Insure.com finds that most respondents’ single plan HDHP deductibles range between $1,701 and $4,000. That’s well above the $1,400 threshold for a plan to be considered high-deductible. Survey participants listed their individual deductible amounts as follows:
- $1,700 or less -- 11%
- $1,701 to -$2,499 -- 29%
- $2,500 to $4,000 -- 31%
- $4,000 or more -- 18%
Survey respondents indicate their family plan deductibles are:
- $3,000 or less -- 13%
- $3,001 to $4,449 -- 22%
- $4,500 to $6,000 -- 26%
- $6,000 or more-- 14%
“It is concerning that high out-of-pocket costs are causing some people to delay care,” observes Les Masterson, managing editor for Insure.com. “More than half of our survey respondents, a full 56%, report delaying care due to HDHP costs. That could have health and cost effects in the long run.”
One piece of good news in the survey results is that higher deductibles are inspiring people to shop for care, which can lead to lower costs. More than two-thirds of HDHP members say they’ve shopped for hospitals, doctors, tests or procedures:
- Checked online ratings and costs -- 48%
- Called physician offices and hospitals and compared costs -- 29%
- Talked to friends and family for reviews and costs -- 22%
The complete report provides advice for people with HDHPs. Find it here: High Deductible Health Plan Study
Insure.com’s Managing Editor Les Masterson is available for comment on this topic.
About Insure.com
Insure.com is owned and operated by QuinStreet, Inc. (Nasdaq: QNST), a pioneer in delivering online marketplace solutions to match searchers with brands in digital media. QuinStreet is committed to providing consumers and businesses with the information and tools they need to research, find and select the products and brands that meet their needs. Insure.com is a member of the company’s expert research and publishing division.
For 35 years, Insure.com has served as a comprehensive consumer resource for insurance information, offering expert advice, articles, news, and tools about car, home, health, and life insurance. Consumers have access to free car insurance quotes and guidance on finding the right insurance policy, saving money and solving claims problems.
Media contacts
Jacqueline Leppla
Sr. Director of Public Relations
775-321-3608
Or,
Liberty Communications for QuinStreet
Rick Judge, 415-429-5652