We’ve heard it for years: HSA-qualified high deductible health plans help reduce unnecessary utilization. Ever since their inception back in 2004, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) have been characterized as the ultimate consumer-driven product. People spend their own money differently than they spend somebody else’s money, proponents say, and having some “skin in the game” encourages people to act with discretion when spending their health care dollars. Ultimately, being responsible for the cost of up-front expenses like doctor visits and prescriptions, instead of having those costs covered by a flat-dollar copayment, creates better health care consumers by encouraging them to “shop around” for health care services and only engage the health care system when truly necessary.
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