Study Shows Members Enrolled in CDHPs Experience Lower Health Care Costs

Today, the operator of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) released the results of its annual Consumer Directed Health Plan (CDHP) study. The study shows that individuals enrolled in CDHPs continue to experience lower health care costs and take advantage of more preventive health measures, long after switching from their traditional insurance plans.

In fact, the study found that after switching from a traditional plan to a CDHP, members saw a three-year average reduction in:

• Medical expenses — decreased by 11.8 percent
• Overall spending, combined medical and pharmacy costs — decreased by 10.5 percent
• Inpatient care costs — decreased by 23.5 percent
• Outpatient care costs — decreased by 5.1 percent
• Professional services costs — decreased by 14 percent