The number of consumer-directed health plan accounts grew by more than one-third last year, and the average balance in health savings accounts also increased, as employers and workers invested more in accounts for healthcare costs, according to a newly released report.
The aggregate amount in U.S. health savings accounts and health reimbursement arrangements—the savings vehicles tied to consumer-directed health plans—increased last year by 43% to $17.8 billion, and the total number of accounts climbed by 36% to 11.6 million, the annual Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey found (PDF).
The survey, sponsored by the Employee Benefits Research Institute and Matthew Greenwald and Associates, also reported the average account balance for HSAs and HRAs increased by 4.3% to $1,534 in 2012 from $1,470 the prior year. In 2010, the average account balance dropped by 4.5% to $1,355 from $1,419 in 2009.