High-Deductible Plans Do Not Promote Cheaper Health Care
Patients with consumer-directed health plans -- which have low premiums and high deductibles -- paid roughly the same amount for care as individuals with traditional health plans, according to a study co-authored by researchers from the University of Southern California's Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. The study -- co-sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation, which publishes California Healthline -- examined whether patients with higher deductibles were more likely to seek cost-efficient medical care.
- "Patients Aren't Health Care Bargain Hunters" (UPI, 4/3).
- "Medical Patients Aren't Bargain Hunters" (USC release, 4/3).