| Consumer-Directed Health Care: Early Evidence Shows Lower Costs, Mixed Effects on Quality of Care
Buntin M. Beeuwkes, C. Damberg, A. Haviland, K. Kapur, N. Lurie, R. McDevitt, and M.S. Marquis.
Research Highlights, RAND Corporation, Web posted January 29, 2007, online edition, 5p
Consumer-directed health care (CDHC) involves high-deductible plans (defined as $1,100 or greater) with tax-advantaged savings accounts. These plans assume that health care providers will provide better and more efficient care which will slow the overall growth in cost. The research team reviewed recent studies on CDHC, gathered data from insurance carriers and employers, examined enrollment trends, and interviewed experts from the insurance industry. Their findings were: that c onsumers spend less on medical care and use fewer medical services; Consumer-directed health plans have mixed effects on the quality of care; and Most people lack adequate information to make proper choices about medical care.
Go to the article at: http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/2007/RAND_RB9234.pdf
C15/02-07. Posted April 5, 07 |
