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When Deductibles Are Waived, More People Get Health Screenings
However, the increase is modest, and in high-deductible plans, it is quite small, according to a new study in the journal Health Services Research.
"We found more [preventive screening] use with expanded coverage, as we expected, but we were surprised the increase was not greater," says lead author Daniella Meeker, Ph.D., information scientist at the RAND Corporation. "When we broke it down by types of plans, we found a difference between people in low- and high-deductible plans."
In recent years, many employers have expanded coverage to encourage their employees to use preventive care services, and deductible-free screening is one way to do this.
The study analyzed preventive screening use among 44,106 people enrolled in preferred provider organizations, or PPOs. Over a six-year period, these plans initiated deductible-free coverage of four tests - lipid screening, mammography, fecal occult blood testing and Pap smears - which reduced, but did not eliminate participants'' out-of-pocket costs. In general, these costs ranged from $10 to $30 per test.
The researchers found that people underwent screening more often after the tests became deductible-free, while rates were unchanged among a control group of more than 60,000 participants in plans whose coverage did not extend. Endoscopic screening for colorectal cancer, which was not deductible-free, did not increase in either group.
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MaryR38(Guest)
10/17/2010
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Medwonders Health Network
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One unintended consequence as a result of the new healthcare reform is that employers are moving to no co-pay high deductible health plans to lower their premiums and at the same time asking employees to pay a larger percentage of the premiums. Between having to pay for their own healthcare until the deductible is met and the added premiums, employees have much higher out-of-pocket costs. The unintended consequence? People are forgoing seeking treatment for routine illnesses, which can often result in a worse illness down the line that requires more expensive treatment. With WhiteGlove you don't have to put it off, WhiteGlove members seek care early to avoid being sick a long time and it just costs them $35 a visit.