Do employers save money by offering high deductible health plans?

Asked by: Alison Douglas  |  Last update: September 25, 2023
Score: 5/5 (55 votes)

While offering an HDHP to employees will likely result in savings for your business, it essentially pushes the costs onto the employee, especially if they're faced with a serious medical situation. However, many proponents of HDHPs argue that they're generally beneficial to both businesses and employees.

Why do employers offer high-deductible health plans?

Traditional PPOs and HMOs are expensive for employers as well as employees. The Institute of Medicine estimates that 30 percent of health spending is waste. HDHPs are designed to reduce unnecessary healthcare spending and encourage consumers to take an active role in managing their own healthcare costs.

What is the tax advantage of a high-deductible health plan?

High-Deductible Health Plan Tax Benefits

You don't pay federal taxes on the money you put into it. Your total annual contribution is tax deductible. Your money can earn interest, which is also tax-free.

What is one disadvantage to a high-deductible health plan?

It Is More Expensive to Manage a Chronic Illness With an HDHP. A chronic illness, such as heart disease or diabetes, can be much more expensive to manage under an HDHP than a traditional health care plan. With these conditions, regular medications and health screenings may be required.

What are the advantages of high-deductible health plans to both the employer and the employees?

HDHP BENEFITS: TOP 9 ADVANTAGES
  • Lower premiums.
  • Cost savings.
  • Negotiated in-network rates.
  • A network of providers similar to a PPO.
  • Out-of-Network providers being covered.
  • No primary care physician or referral requirement.
  • Having a Health Savings Account (HSA) option.
  • Having a Flexible Savings Account option.

High-Deductible Health Plans, Explained

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Why would you not choose a high-deductible health plan?

Costly out-of-pocket medical expenses: If you choose a high-deductible health plan and need non-preventive medical care, or costly medical care, you will have to pay all of your deductible before your plan begins to help you pay for covered costs.

What are the disadvantages of employer provided health insurance?

Cost is a major disadvantage of employer based health insurance. Every year, insurance companies bump up the price of group coverage. Businesses and employees both end up paying higher premiums and plan participants often accept higher deductibles to minimize their premiums.

What is the upside and downside of a high deductible?

Key Takeaways. High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are affordable health insurance plans with relatively low monthly premiums. On the downside, these plans have higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. This means more healthcare expenses are paid by the individual and not the insurer.

Is it better to have a high or low deductible health plan?

Low deductibles are best when an illness or injury requires extensive medical care. High-deductible plans offer more manageable premiums and access to HSAs.

What is the upside to having a high deductible auto insurance?

A higher deductible often reduces premium costs. This is because it reduces the amount of money the insurance company must pay when a claim occurs. For example, consider a vehicle accident with $2,500 worth of damage.

Are high deductible health plans risky?

The cons of high-deductible health plans

Future health risks: Because of the costs, you may refrain from visiting a physician, getting treatments, or purchasing prescriptions when they're not covered by your HDHP. However, not getting care can lead to problems with your health.

Why would you want a higher deductible?

If you're enrolled in a plan with a higher deductible, preventive care services (like annual checkups and screenings) are typically covered without you having to pay the deductible first. And a higher deductible also means you pay lower monthly costs.

What are the pros and cons of selecting a high deductible insurance plan?

High-deductible health plans, or HDHPs, can offer lower monthly premiums and a tax-advantaged health savings account. However, the high deductible can make it difficult for some individuals to afford necessary healthcare services.

What percent of Americans have high deductible health plans?

The report says that more than 55% of Americans were enrolled in HDHPs in 2021, a new record. The rate rose from 30.3% in 2013 (the lowest enrollment in the 10 years studied) to 55.7% in 2021, an 83.7% increase.

How do I get around a high deductible health plan?

Ways to Make Your Health Insurance Affordable—7 Tips
  1. Supplemental Health Insurance. ...
  2. Get Preventive Care Done Early in the Year. ...
  3. Take Action to Maintain or Improve Your Health. ...
  4. Shop Around for Healthcare Services. ...
  5. Use a Health Savings Account. ...
  6. Use a Flexible Spending Account. ...
  7. Review Your Medical Bills with an Eagle Eye.

What is the average employer HSA contribution?

HSA Activity by Employer Size

Similarly, for families, HSA contributions by smaller employers tended to be above the average $890 contribution, while large employers (1,000 employees or more) funded an average of $760.

Why would consumers ever choose insurance plans with large deductibles?

The general rule is that if your policy comes with a high deductible, you'll pay lower premiums every month or year because you're responsible for more costs before coverage starts. On the other hand, higher premiums usually mean lower deductibles. In these cases, the insurance plan kicks in much quicker.

What is considered a high deductible health plan 2023?

High-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are known for having high deductibles in exchange for lower monthly premiums. For 2023, an HDHP is any plan with a deductible of at least $1,500 for an individual or $3,000 for a family. The maximum out-of-pocket expenses are $7,500 for an individual and $15,000 for a family.

Is a high deductible plan better than a copay plan?

A high deductible plan may seem cheaper at first, but it can expose you to higher financial risk if you have a major health issue or an unexpected emergency. A low copay plan may seem more expensive at first, but it can protect you from high medical bills and help you manage your cash flow better.

How high is too high deductible?

For 2022, the IRS defines a high deductible health plan as any plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family. An HDHP's total yearly out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) can't be more than $7,050 for an individual or $14,100 for a family.

What are the issues with high deductibles?

According to data from the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, high deductible health plans can force individuals to delay medical care. These plans can also impact providers by forcing them to wait months before receiving payments at times.

Do you pay more with a higher deductible?

How it works. A deductible is the amount you pay for health care services each year before your health insurance begins to pay. In most cases, the higher a plan's deductible, the lower the premium. When you're willing to pay more up front when you need care, you save on what you pay each month.

What is a con of employer sponsored health insurance?

Lack of flexibility

Because the employer chooses group insurance, employees don't have a say in what network they'll be on, the deductible they'll need to meet, or the premium they'll have to pay. The lack of control and customization of group health plans doesn't make it as appealing to many individuals.

What is a con of employer sponsored health care?

Disadvantages of group health insurance. Added cost. Dependency on employer. Lack of control for employees.

What are the three most common incentives for offering health insurance to employees?

Keep reading to learn 9 reasons to offer health insurance to employees.
  • Access to lower out-of-pocket costs for employer- sponsored health insurance. ...
  • Benefit from tax incentives. ...
  • Improve your hiring and recruitment strategy. ...
  • Encourage employee loyalty and retention. ...
  • Boost employee job satisfaction.