The number of people with high-deductible health insurance plans increased from 4.5 million to 10 million from 2007-2010, according to a survey of America's Health Insurance Plan members.
According to Karen Ignani, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents 1,300 companies providing health insurance to more than 200 million Americans, patients are choosing higher deductibles in exchange for lower premiums. For a high deductible — for example, a maximum $3,000 deductible for individuals and $6,000 deductible for families — patients can save approximately $100 a month on premiums.
Despite the warnings about higher medical bills associated with high deductibles, a RAND Corp. study released in April 2011 found that as healthcare costs rise, people with high-deductible plans spend significantly less than those on traditional plans. The study found that people on high-deductible plans also received less preventive care, such as annual exams, cervical caner screenings and colonoscopies.
According to the RAND Corp. report, many patients are unaware that their plans waive fees for preventive care and may forego treatment as a result.
Read the USA Today report on high-deductible health plans.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
ASC Association Nominates Surgery Center President for APC Panel
Health IT Advisors: Would Delaying Stage 2 Help ICD-10 Transition?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Adds On-Site Billing at Duke University Health System
According to Karen Ignani, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, which represents 1,300 companies providing health insurance to more than 200 million Americans, patients are choosing higher deductibles in exchange for lower premiums. For a high deductible — for example, a maximum $3,000 deductible for individuals and $6,000 deductible for families — patients can save approximately $100 a month on premiums.
Despite the warnings about higher medical bills associated with high deductibles, a RAND Corp. study released in April 2011 found that as healthcare costs rise, people with high-deductible plans spend significantly less than those on traditional plans. The study found that people on high-deductible plans also received less preventive care, such as annual exams, cervical caner screenings and colonoscopies.
According to the RAND Corp. report, many patients are unaware that their plans waive fees for preventive care and may forego treatment as a result.
Read the USA Today report on high-deductible health plans.
Related Articles on Coding, Billing and Collections:
ASC Association Nominates Surgery Center President for APC Panel
Health IT Advisors: Would Delaying Stage 2 Help ICD-10 Transition?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Adds On-Site Billing at Duke University Health System