The rising cost of health insurance in the U.S. has made it increasingly difficult for many individuals and families to afford coverage alongside other routine expenses such as home mortgages, automobile loans, and student debt repayment. Amid growing concerns over the financial strain of health care affordability, high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) have become a popular type of private health insurance coverage. HDHPs, which require lower monthly premiums and a higher deductible, are designed to reduce unnecessary health care spending and encourage individuals to actively manage their own health care costs. Given the recent spike in HDHP popularity, it is important to track HDHP enrollment data to determine which populations are more likely to have this type of health coverage and assess long-term HDHP enrollment trends.
State Health Compare provides annual, state-level rates of HDHP enrollment based on findings from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Insurance Component (MEPS-IC). Estimates are available beginning in 2012 and can be broken down by firm size (e.g., fewer than 50 employees, greater than 50 employees).