Consumer-Directed Health Plans Provide Affordable, High-Quality Healthcare Options

Statement from Scott P. Serota, president and CEO, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

April 8, 2008

WASHINGTON – Scott P. Serota, president and chief executive officer of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), issued the following statement regarding today's Capitol Hill briefing, "Better Health, Lower Cost:  Examples from the Real World."  The event, sponsored by the Center for Health Transformation, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Representative Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-Tex.), featured Michael Reitz, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

"At a time when small businesses and large employers are struggling to provide affordable, high-quality health coverage for their workers and families, consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) are providing an important option.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies have more than 3.1 million members enrolled in CDHPs.  From coast-to-coast, Blue companies are offering a variety of CDHPs which enable consumers to exercise greater personal management over their own well-being and healthcare services.  One example is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana's (BCBSLA) BlueSaver, a high-deductible health plan.  BlueSaver enables small businesses to provide an affordable health benefit, while empowering consumers to manage their healthcare and stretch scarce healthcare dollars.

"Consumer-directed health plans are also playing an important role in promoting health and wellness.  According to BCBSA's 2007 CDHP Member Experience Survey, participants enrolled in consumer-directed health plans are more engaged in wellness programs.

"The survey found that consumers eligible for health savings accounts were 17 percent more likely to participate in an exercise program than those enrolled in non-CDHP products.  These consumers were also more likely to engage in the following wellness programs:  smoking cessation (20 percent vs. 6 percent), stress management (22 percent vs. 8 percent), and nutrition and diet programs (27 percent vs. 12 percent).

"The Blue Cross and Blue Shield System believes that consumer-directed health plans can play an important role in transforming our healthcare system into one which empowers consumers and providers with more information to make more informed healthcare decisions.  As our nation's policymakers examine how best to expand coverage and make important quality improvements, it is critical that we recognize the role that CDHPs are playing in the system, particularly for working families and small businesses."