The increased use of consumer-driven health plans with high deductibles are having the desired impact: when people consume more of the costs of their own health care, their decisions are increasingly being driven on how they can personally control the cost, according to the 2016 Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey by EBRI and Greenwald & Associates.

The inclusion of a high deductible — whether via a high-deductible health plan or a consumer-driven health plan that is associated with a health savings account or a health reimbursement arrangement — is correlated with "more engaged individuals," according to a survey of 3,295 U.S. adults.

"Further, given that CDHP enrollees are more consistently offered funds for their HSA, had a choice of health plans at enrollment and offered wellness programs, CDHP enrollees are more likely to consistently engage in those cost-conscious consumer behaviors," the authors write.

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Katie Kuehner-Hebert

Katie Kuehner-Hebert is a freelance writer based in Running Springs, Calif. She has more than three decades of journalism experience, with particular expertise in employee benefits and other human resource topics.