Consumer Driven Health Care

The next evolution of HRA plans is to cover the other cost drivers within the benefits portfolio: dental and vision insurance.

In 2010, 5 percent of the U.S. population was enrolled in a consumer-driven health plan, representing 5.7 million adults with private insurance, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. That's up from 4 percent in 2009.

Retirees still require a large savings to cover out-of-pocket health expenses in retirement, despite the reduced retirement health costs the new health reform law brings, according to a nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute report.

In 2011, devices including smart phones and tablet computers are expected to help to drive consumer-driven health care, as people can monitor their health and prevent illnesses, according to a new Ovum report.

Last week, opposition resonated from a number of groups that want Congress to change the new federal law, and allow over-the-counter drugs to be purchased with money from flexible spending accounts.

The U.S. stands out for the most negative insurance-related experiences, according to the report.

people with consumer-driven health plans and high-deductible health plans are more likely than those with traditional coverage to think the new law will affect them personally

Approximately half of enrollees anticipate their health care costs to grow because of the health reform law.