High-deductible Insurance Plans Harm Patients

To cope with the cost of health insurance, over half of patients in the US with private insurance sign up for high-deductible plans that leave them paying list price for most of their medications and care. While some payer orgs tout the benefits of these plans, researchers are finding that these plans worsen health outcomes for members.

According to Jakob Emerson, “A study published Jan. 20 in JAMA Network Open found that diabetic patients who were forced to enroll in a HDHP by their employer face a higher risk of acute diabetes complications compared to those enrolled in traditional health plans. HDHPs increased the risk of needing to visit the emergency room or hospital for severe hyperglycemia by 25 percent, and each year of enrollment increased the risk by 5 percent.”

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(Source: Becker’s Payer Issues, February 21^st, 2023)