Mar 30, 2012 | Laboratory Pathology
Now in its fifth year, Indiana’s CDHP now covers 90% of eligible state employees
Many pathologists and clinical laboratory managers are carefully watching for evidence that new healthcare delivery models can deliver improved patient outcomes at a lower cost. Now comes evidence that a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) for Indiana state employees—that incentivizes consumers to manage their healthcare dollars more carefully—is saving money for both employees and the state.
According to a story in the Centre Daily Times (CDT), state officials in Indiana claim that the state’s CDHP has reduced the state’s overall health benefit costs and met with high subscriber satisfaction.
Governor Mitch Daniels and other Indiana officials claim that, since introducing the CDHP in 2006, the Hoosier state’s overall health benefit costs are down by more than 10%, with only 2% of subscribers switching back to a traditional plan, the CDT reporter wrote.
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Jun 17, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Clinical laboratories can provide that missing education about CDHPs to patients
Even as enrollment in Consumer-Directed Health Plans (CDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) climbs steadily year after year, a new study reveals that most physicians are unprepared to help their patients understand and better use these forms of health insurance. This is a barrier to CDHP acceptance and an opportunity for clinical laboratories.
CDHPs—and their close cousins, HDHPs (high-deductible health plans_—are designed to shift more responsibility for healthcare decisions to patients. Many physicians, however, are unprepared to advise patients enrolled in CDHPs about cost-effective treatment options. This is the finding of a 2008 survey of 525 randomly selected doctors published in the American Journal of Managed Care . Nearly half, 43%, of doctors responding to the survey admitted knowing “a little” or “not at all” about CDHPs or HSAs. At least 33% of surveyed physicians said they are “somewhat” knowledgeable. Only 24% of physicians surveyed claimed “much” or “a great deal” of knowledge about CDHPs.
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