After switching from an HMO or PPO, first-time users of health spending accounts and health reimbursement accounts reduced their medical spending by an average 8% (excluding prescription drug expenses) over six months, according to a Cigna study. Cigna compared the claims of 42,000 people before and after they enrolled in an HSA/HRA. Once they were in a consumer-directed health plan, consumers reduced inpatient spending by 5% and outpatient spending by 12%. A control group of consumers in an HMO or PPO increased their medical spending by 4% during the same period.
The study also showed that HSA/HRA users were more compliant in taking prescription drugs, increasing their usage of medications used to control diabetes (+18%), asthma (+8%), high cholesterol (+23%), and to prevent heart attacks (+18%). They were also more discerning in their use of some types of prescription medications for which alternatives are available over-the-counter, such as medications for migraines (-4%) and anti-ulcer drugs (-7%).
