Managed Healthcare Executive editors had the opportunity to engage with Paul Fronstin, the director of Health Benefits Research at EBRI. They delved into the various trends in health plan benefit design and explored the significance of high-deductible health plans and HSAs.

Challenges Faced by Employers

Employers encounter difficulties in motivating the utilization of high-value healthcare while effectively managing costs. As noted by Fronstin, there is a need to find ways to incentivize the use of high-value providers, yet achieving this balance has proven to be a challenge. For instance, the IRS's 2019 decision to make certain preventive services like insulin covered before deductibles led to 75% of employers promptly adopting at least one of these services. This shows the potential impact of such decisions on employer behavior.

It is clear that employers are constantly striving to strike a balance between providing quality healthcare and controlling costs. The ability to incentivize the right behaviors is crucial in this regard.

Impact of High-Deductible Health Plans and HSAs

Regarding high-deductible health plans and HSAs, Fronstin pointed out that higher deductibles initially lead to a decrease in healthcare utilization. However, over time, this usage stabilizes. He also compared the differences between the impact of HSAs and deductibles, highlighting their unique characteristics.

HSAs offer the potential for long-term savings, but many people currently use them to cover immediate healthcare costs. This shows the need for better education and understanding of how HSAs can be utilized effectively.

Recent Studies and Preventive Care

Recent studies have revealed an interesting trend. When certain drugs were removed from deductibles, there was a slight increase in medication adherence. This emphasizes the importance of accessible preventive care and how it can have a positive impact on patient outcomes.

It is evident that these findings have significant implications for the future of healthcare. By making preventive care more accessible, we can potentially improve overall health and reduce healthcare costs in the long run.