Employers' contradictory views about consumer-driven health care: Results from a national survey

Based on a random national sample of 1,856 employers, this paper examines employers' knowledge, perceptions, and present and future plan offerings for consumer-driven health care plans. Employers of all sizes are more familiar with consumer-driven health care than with organizations that promote quality of care. Many employers remain skeptical about its ability to control costs and improve quality, while a majority believe that health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) are likely to attract healthier workers. Interest in HRAs is greatest among the largest U.S. employers. The percentage of covered workers who can choose an HRA plan should grow dramatically during the next two years.