Wednesday, October 1, 2008

United HealthCare Analysis of HSAs

United HealthCare is completed a year-long analysis of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and drawn some interesting positive conclusions. In particular, they note the following:
"Health Savings Accounts: A year-long look at adoption, usage and funding patterns"

* HSAs have application across income groups, consumer life stages and varied employer environments.

* To encourage participation and make plans as useful as possible, employers should consider making contributions to the accounts. Even in their early years, HSAs show evidence of flexing to the specific needs of savers versus spenders.

* Positive balances at year-end are an encouraging indicator of HSAs ability to help make health care more affordable.
As one would expect, giving patient control over their medical spending decisions works!