Impact of type of insurance plan on access and utilization of health care services for adults aged 18-64 years with private health insurance: United States, 2007-2008

Abstract

Data from the National Health Interview Survey. Almost 18% of adults under age 65 with private health insurance were enrolled in some type of high deductible health plan (HDHP), including 5% who were enrolled in a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP), 2% with a flexible spending account (FSA) for medical expenses, and 12% in a HDHP-only plan. Approximately 17% of adults aged 18-64 years enrolled in an HDHP had unmet medical or prescription drug needs due to cost, compared with 10% among adults aged 18-64 years enrolled in a traditional health plan only (no FSA). Privately insured adults aged 18-64 years with an FSA or health savings account (HSA) were more likely to receive a flu shot or have contact with an eye doctor in the past 12 months than those with neither an FSA nor an HSA.