Health savings account enrollment on the rise

Tools

Enrollment in health savings accounts (HSA) has grown to roughly 15.5 million people--an increase of almost 15 percent from last year, according to a new census report from America's Health Insurance Plans.

What's more, AHIP found HSA enrollment has more than tripled in the last six years. The biggest membership increase--from 7.9 million in January 2012 to 9.6 million this January--occurred in the large group market, which has almost 70 percent of all HSA enrollment in 2013, up from 59 percent in 2012.

"HSA plans have given individuals and employers a valuable coverage option," AHIP CEO Karen Ignagni said in a statement. "HSA plans encourage individuals to take an active role in their healthcare decisions while stretching their healthcare dollars."

The census also found many insurers offering HSAs provide accompanying tools to help those members manage their accounts, including online access to health conditions, medical services and cost information.

For example, 97 percent of insurers provide access to health education tools, 95 percent let members access accounting information and 90 percent grant access to hospitals' quality information. Other tools available to HSA members include health risk assessments, health coaching, bill payment tools and mobile apps, according to the report.

To learn more:
- here's the AHIP statement and report

Related Articles:
Health savings account enrollment jumps 26% in large group plans
58% of employers offer consumer-directed plans
AHIP: High-deductible health insurance plans grow 18%
Consumer-directed plans offer short-term benefits
Health spending, preventive care drop with high-deductible plans