A recent survey developed by Aon Consulting and conducted by the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS) focused on Consumer-Driven Health Plans CDHPs) and their growing popularity. Of the 800+ ISCEB members were interviewed, 22% of the respondents are currently offering a CDHP (with 74% only beginning in 2004 or 2005).

Of the current CDHPs, almost two-thirds were health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and only 15% provided health savings accounts (HSAs). However, 38% of the employers planning to offer a CDHP in the near future anticipate including HSAs as an option, and 11% of these plan to have the HSA as a total replacement for their existing health plans.

An overwhelming number of the employees educated their employees when introducing a CDHP, and most of these believed face-to-face meetings were the most effective methods.

Other interesting statistics that appeared in the study are:

Do you plan to offer a CDHP in the near future?

• Later this year (2005): 2%
• In 2006: 10%
• Serious considering, undecided on effective date: 37%
• Not serious considering: 50%

Why did you introduce a CDHP?

• Control rising health care costs: 43%
• Introduce "consumerism": 39%
• Expand health plan choices: 13%
• Provide vehicle for retiree medical savings: 2%

What effect will CDHPs make on employee health care purchasing:

• Employees become better, more efficient consumers of health care: 55%
• Employees may forego needed health care to save money: 22%
• No effect: 8%

You can view this survey at http://www.iscebs.org/PDF/cdhcsrvy05.pdf.