Enrollment in high-deductible health plans keeps growing: Report

Enrollment in high-deductible health insurance plans, including consumer-driven health plans, continues to grow, the National Center for Health Statistics said in a report Tuesday.

Through the end of March, 36% of those under age 65 with private health insurance coverage were enrolled in a high-deductible plan, defined as plans with deductibles of at least $1,250 for single coverage and $2,500 for family coverage, according to the report. Private health insurance coverage includes both employment-based coverage and individual policies.

Of that 36%, 12% were enrolled in CDHPs, which are high-deductible plans linked to health savings accounts, while 24% were enrolled in high-deductible plans not linked to HSAs.

Both types of plans have been growing rapidly in recent years. For example, in 2009, just 6.6% of the under age 65 population with health insurance coverage were covered in a CDHP compared with the current 12% coverage rate.

In addition, the current 24% coverage rate in high-deductible health insurance plans compares to just 15.9% in 2009.

The key reason for the growth of high-deductible is their lower cost. A Kaiser Family Foundation survey released last week found that the average premium in 2014 for family coverage provided through a CDHP was $15,401, nearly $2,000 less than the average premium of $17,333 for family coverage offered through a preferred provider organization.