What Do Health Insurance Deductibles Do to Health Care Spending Growth?
This study found that while high deductible health plans (HDHPs) may reduce healthcare spending in the short term, persistent enrollment in HDHPs for four or more years was not associated with lower long-term spending growth compared to low deductible health plans.
High deductible health plans (HDHPs), which typically feature lower premiums but require members to pay the full cost of non-preventive medical care until the deductible is met, may reduce healthcare spending by discouraging healthcare utilization.
This study, published in the International Journal of Health Economics and Management, was conducted in collaboration with The Wharton School, Analysis Group, and Georgia State University. It used multi-year claims data from Elevance Health affiliated plans to examine the long-term effects of HDHPs on healthcare spending growth. The findings add evidence to ongoing conversations about healthcare affordability, benefit design, and the limits of cost-sharing as a strategy for controlling spending growth.
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Hospital Characteristics and Medicaid Hospital Prices
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Coding for High-Complexity Office Visits on the Rise
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