| They are the vanguard of the new movement of | | | | other policies offering similar benefits. But |
| consumerism in healthcare. Which after years of | | | | consumers have not embraced the idea. And |
| insurance companies in command of most | | | | those that do, mainly do so primarily for the |
| decisions regarding healthcare, seeks to return | | | | obvious advantage of the lower premium, and fail |
| more control to consumers. The idea is that as | | | | to see the other aspect of the concept, the HSA |
| they have in other areas of the economy | | | | as a Tax Free annuity. |
| consumers themselves can do much to help to | | | | Experts and industry watchdogs agree that it can |
| control and bring down the costs of healthcare. It | | | | be complicated, and it falls on the insurance |
| is a rather ambitious goal, and yet "we the | | | | companies themselves to help educate consumers |
| people" are the only ones in the equation that | | | | on the advantages and benefits of Consumer |
| have yet to have been given a shot at reducing | | | | Driven Health Plans. And many of them are |
| health insurance and healthcare costs, while the | | | | heeding the call. For example Humana now counts |
| insurance companies, healthcare providers, and | | | | among its customer service staff a telephone |
| the government certainly have not done such a | | | | robot named Eliza that calls members to tell them |
| great job. | | | | about money saving initiatives like low-cost drug |
| In many parts of the country insurance | | | | alternatives. According to Beth Bierbower, |
| companies have embraced the idea of Consumer | | | | Humana's vice president of product innovation, |
| Driven Health Plans. While it is debatable if their | | | | Eliza has saved members over $11 million over |
| motives are truly to empower consumers or just | | | | the last 18 months. Similarly, United Healthcare has |
| to shift more of the cost of healthcare to them, | | | | initiated a program that tracks the type of care it |
| many of these programs do have merit. The | | | | sees its members are using most often, and |
| problem is consumers and businesses alike, have | | | | provide information accordingly. So for example |
| been very slow to participate. And this according | | | | on monthly statements members with diabetes |
| to experts in the filed is primarily due to a lack of | | | | are reminded to go for annual foot and eye |
| understanding of how they work. The | | | | exams. |
| cornerstone of the consumerism model in health | | | | Putting consumers in the driver seat to make |
| insurance is the HSA coupled with another | | | | more of their own decisions regarding health |
| acronym - the HDHP, High Deductible Health Plan. | | | | insurance and healthcare costs may very well |
| Basically the idea is to set aside funds in pre-tax | | | | prove to be a great idea down the road. |
| dollars to pay for out of pocket medical | | | | However, getting there safely and efficiently as |
| expenses, until you reach a high deductible usually | | | | with any new driver will require some proper |
| at least 1500.00 to 2000.00 dollars, when the | | | | training, and that will only come with concerted |
| health benefits of the plan kick in. This makes for | | | | efforts by the insurance companies, and state |
| more affordable health coverage as the premiums | | | | and federal officials. |
| attached to the HDHP's are significantly lower then | | | | |