NU Online News Service, Sept. 24, 11:15 a.m. – Health maintenance organization executives doubt the new "defined-contribution" or "consumer-driven" health plans will do much to make Americans live healthier lives, according to a preliminary survey report from Milliman USA, Seattle.
Milliman, a large actuarial consulting firm, surveyed more than 400 HMOs about the defined-contribution market while conducting its 2002 HMO Intercompany Rate Survey.
Detailed results won't be available until October, but Milliman says the HMO executives who responded believe employees will be more excited about controlling the personal care accounts than about taking responsibility for making their own care decisions.
The executives are also skeptical about the idea that giving employees more information about the cost of care will cause them to quit smoking, exercise more or make other radical lifestyle changes to cut health care costs.
Milliman notes that defined-contribution plans could end up taking two different forms.