More than 35 percent of U.S. employer health plans offered employees health savings accounts in 2016, a 3.2 percent increase from 2015, according to the 2016 United Benefit Advisors Health Plan Survey. Tax-advantaged medical savings accounts that are consumer-directed, HSAs let consumers who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans set aside funds to pay for qualified medical expenses without federal tax liability or penalty. But while the prevalence of HSAs has increased, employer contributions to them have declined, the survey found. In 2016, the average employer contributed $474 to HSAs for individuals and $801 to HSAs for families, down 3.5 percent and 9.2 percent, respectively, from 2015.
Another study found contrary data, at least in some respects. According to the Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey, employers in 2016 were more likely to contribute to HSAs — and to contribute larger dollar amounts. This study also found that adults in consumer-directed health plans were more likely to demonstrate cost-conscious behavior, such as by requesting generic drugs.
SHRM (05/25/17)
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