The cost of health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangement grew at a significantly slower rate in 2005 compared to other types of plans, according to a new study by Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. The cost of consumer-directed health plans increased an average of 2.8% from 2004 to 2005 in contrast to increases of 8% for HMOs, 8.5% for POS plans, 7.2% for PPOs, and 6.4% for indemnity plans. Businesses are projecting similar rates of growth for 2006. A previous Deloitte study found that 43% of U.S. companies either have a consumer-directed health plan in place (22%) or will be offering one in the next two years (21%).
