Survey Cites Move to Self-Service

Consumer-directed or Health Savings Account (HSA)-style plans are becoming increasingly popular, a new survey finds. The study, conducted by Washington-based health insurance association America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), says the number of Americans covered under the high-deductible plans increased 31% since last year.

The census found since January of last year, approximately 1.9 million Americans opted for an HSA, bringing the total to some 8 million Americans. As for geographic distribution, California (854,000), Florida (524,000), Illinois (497,000) and Texas (476,000) were the states with most members enrolled.

The study also found that 30% of those covered by a HSA plan were in the small-group market, 47 % were in the large-group market and the remaining 23% were in the individual market.

AHIP has conducted a periodic census of health insurers since Health Savings Accounts were first authorized in January 2004.