I suspect that many universities and many other organizations are discussing or have adopted what are being called “consumer-driven health plans” (CDHPs). They have in common that they have a much higher deductible than traditional insurance, and are linked to a health savings account (HSA). The plans differ in their cost, whether you are covered at 100% once you’ve paid your deductible, whether the employer or employee or both pays into the HSA, and many other specifics. Obviously those specifics will have a lot of effect on whether a particular insurance plan of this kind is considered attractive. But I’ve been surprised at the degree of hostility there sometimes it to these plans. They clearly are not for everyone, but for those whose medical expenses are typically few and far between, they can allow more of our money to go towards actual costs of health care rather than simply towards insurance itself.
Most of the criticisms I’ve heard of the plans are either reasons why they should never be the only option given to employees, or things that are wrong with the way health care works in the United States more generally rather than anything specific to a CDHP.
I’d be interested in discussion of this topic from anyone whose information or experience is relevant to it. This is going to be a topic of ongoing debate and discussion for many of us, and so the least we can do is share our thoughts and information – and ideally, find ways of not merely settling for the best coverage we can negotiate, but also of coming up with creative strategies for bringing about more sweeping reforms and achieving a more equitable means of ensuring (or insuring!) that all who need health care have access to it.
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