April 2007

4.5 million enrolled in HSAs

A new census released by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) discovered that 4.5 million Americans — a 43 percent increase from last year — are covered by lower-premium, high-deductible health insurance plans offered in conjunction with health savings accounts (HSAs).

The census found that 27 percent of those purchasing HSA plans in the individual market were previously uninsured and almost half of those enrolled in such plans were older than age 40.

In addition, the census reveals that HSA plans provide value-added services. Most companies offer HSA plans that cover preventive care before the deductible is met, provide disease management programs for chronic conditions, and include a wide array of Web-based tools to help consumers make more informed decisions.

This is the first AHIP census to compile information about the savings accounts in conjunction with HSA plans. Eighty-eight percent of accounts in place in 2006 had average annual balances of $2,500 or less, while 4 percent had average annual balances more than $5,000. As of January 2007, 65 percent of accounts had been in place for less than one year.

The full census is available at www.ahipresearch.org/.

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