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