Health savings accounts (HSAs) and the high-deductible health plans that are paired with them are an increasingly popular choice for individuals, families and employers. This coverage option provides individuals with a comprehensive health insurance plan, while also giving them the opportunity to save tax-deferred funds for qualified medical expenses, such as doctor visits and prescription drugs.
HSA plans provide quality health care coverage and are meeting the needs of patients of different ages, health statuses and socioeconomic backgrounds. They particularly play a vital role in providing health care to millions of Americans who might otherwise be uninsured. In the initial years following the authorization of HSA plans, a report found that 27% of those buying HSA health plans in the individual market previously did not have health insurance. Most HSA plans include “first-dollar” coverage for preventive services. As a result, individuals have access to routine physicals, medical screening tests, immunizations, and well-baby care without having to pay out-of-pocket costs.
All HSA health plans have limits on total out-of-pocket costs, which protect individuals and families against catastrophic health care expenses that may occur. These limits are regulated by law, but many HSA plans sold in the market today typically have much lower limits than the law provides. Many other characteristics of HSA health plans help ensure financial security for individuals and families. Unlike some health care-based accounts, HSA funds roll over from year-to-year, and if individuals leave their employer-sponsored health coverage, they are able to take the account with them to continue paying for health care costs.
HSA health plans became available to consumers in 2004, and their popularity has grown swiftly. More than 11.4 million Americans now choose an HSA health plan for their health care needs.
Latest Documents
Growth of HSA-Qualified High-Deductible Health Plan Enrollment, Covered Lives (Millions), March 2005 to January 2012 1 0 March 2005 1.0 3.2 4.5 January 2006 January 2007 6.1 8.0 10.0 January 2008 January 2009 January 2010 11.4 13.5 January 2011 January 2012 Individual Small Group Large Group Other Group Other Sources:
Reports/Fact Sheets/Briefs/Talking Points
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Center for Policy and Research
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07/24/2012
More
than 13.5 million Americans are covered by Health Savings Account
(HSA)-eligible insurance plans, a more than 18 percent increase since last
year, according to a new census
released today by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). The census
also found that the vast majority of HSA plans provide patients with important
decision-support tools to help them make more informed health care decisions.
Press Releases
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Strategic Communications
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05/30/2012
This brief report highlights research and statistics on the market for account-based health plans.
Research
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Center for Policy and Research
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11/30/2011
An annual census by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) of U.S. health insurance carriers shows that the number of people covered by health savings account/high-deductible health plans (HSA/HDHPs) totaled 11.4 million in January 2011.
View slides for this report.
Research
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Center for Policy and Research
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06/16/2011
An annual census by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) of U.S. health insurance carriers shows that the number of people covered by health savings account/high-deductible health plans (HSA/HDHPs) totaled 11.4 million in January 2011.
View the full report.
Research
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Center for Policy and Research
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06/16/2011
A comprehensive study of financial activity in health savings accounts (HSAs). Data collected from three large banks contain detailed account information of more than 1.2 million HSA accounts open as of December 31, 2009.
Research
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Center for Policy and Research
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12/06/2010
For this follow-up study, the responding banks used a geo-coding technique to estimate the income characteristics of those HSA accountholders, which allows analysis of account balances, inflows and outflows by income range.
Research
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Center for Policy and Research
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05/13/2009
Washington, - Eight million Americans are covered by Health Savings Account (HSA)-eligible insurance plans, an increase of more than 31 percent since last year, a new census released today by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) finds. Health Savings Accounts were authorized starting in January 2004.
Press Releases
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Strategic Communications
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05/13/2009
November 2007 A Survey of Preventive Benefits in Health Savings Account (HSA) Plans, July 2007 www.ahipresearch.org 2 A Survey of Preventive Benefits in Health Savings Account (HSA) Plans, July 2007 Most HSA Plans Provide First-Dollar Coverage for Recommended Preventive Care November 2007 SUMMARY In July 2007, Americas
Research
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11/19/2007
The Health Savings Alliance is a non-partisan, educational and grassroots initiative of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). The Alliance is working to urge Congress to strengthen HSAs and HSA health plans, which continue to help protect families from the rising costs of health care.
AHIP Web Resources