title: Does enrollment in a CDHP stimulate cost-effective utilization?
abstract: Consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) are built on the assumption that with increased cost sharing consumers will select cost-effective evidence-based care. In this study, the authors explore whether patterns of utilization change after enrollment in a CDHP and whether the pattern reflects a shift toward evidence-based care. The study population is comprised of 18,025 employees and their adult dependents. The analysis uses a schema for categorizing claims data into high-priority (evidence-based care) and low-priority (limited or no evidence-based care) utilization. The findings indicate that enrollment in CDHPs resulted in a reduction of office visits in the 1st year of enrollment. These reductions in care appear to be indiscriminant, with patients cutting back in both high-and low-priority visits. The reductions in high- and low-priority visits were greater for employees with lower education and income.
authors.affiliation: University of Oregon.
authors.forename: Judith H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Hibbard
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tusler
mesh_terms: D003256:Community Participation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009042:Motivation; D016012:Poisson Distribution