Study Finds Drop In HSA Rates

By Dwayne Callender

July 27, 2005 at 08:00 PM

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Consumers may be paying less for high-deductible, health savings account-compatible health insurance.[@@]

Researchers at eHealthInsurance Services Inc., Mountain View, Calif., a Web-based health insurance broker, have published data supporting that conclusion in a report based on records for several thousand consumers who bought HSA-compatible individual or family coverage through eHealthInsurance between Jan. 1 and June 30.

Only 37% of the HSA plan purchasers agreed to pay $100 or more per month, down from 44% of the consumers who bought HSA plans through eHealthInsurance in 2004.

Meanwhile, the percentage of purchasers paying $50 or less per month increased to 21%, from 15%.

The average monthly premium for a family decreased only 4.8%, to $264, but the average monthly premium for an individual fell 19%, to $112.

The percentage of HSA plan purchasers with annual incomes under $50,000 rose to 42%, from 40%, and the percentage of purchasers in the 21-29 age category increased to 24%, from 18%.

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