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"HSA plans have been a valuable new coverage option -- especially for those who had been uninsured previously -- and are providing consumers with access to important preventive health care services," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP.
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AHIP surveyed its members to examine the preventive benefits provided by high-deductible health plan (HDHP) policies that are compatible with a health savings account (HSA). The survey found that most HSA/HDHP policies cover recommended preventive benefits on a "first dollar" basis -- that is, without regard to whether the deductible is met.
Among HSA/HDHP policies offering first-dollar coverage for preventive care, 100 percent cover adult and child immunizations; well-baby and well-child care; mammography; Pap tests; and annual physical exams and screenings. Nearly 90 percent provide first-dollar coverage for prostate cancer screenings and 83 percent offer this coverage for colonoscopies.
Virtually all HSA/HDHP policies purchased in the large-group market (99 percent) and small-group market (96 percent) provide first-dollar coverage for preventive care.
Additionally, 59 percent of policies purchased in the individual market cover preventive care on a first-dollar basis. First-dollar coverage for preventive benefits is less frequent in the individual market because premiums for individual coverage are not tax deductible, as they are with employment-based coverage. This gives consumers an incentive to purchase preventive benefits through a tax-free HSA rather than through higher premiums. AHIP supports full tax deductibility for all health insurance premiums to create a level playing field for consumers purchasing health care coverage on their own without an employer sponsor.
Click here to view the entire survey: http://www.ahipresearch.org/pdfs/HSA_Preventive_Survey_Final.pdf.
AHIP is the national trade association representing nearly 1,300 member companies providing health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans
SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans
