More employers are planning to offer Health Savings Accounts in 2006, according to a survey published today.
A total of 32% of survey respondents plan to offer them next year, compared to 7% this year.
The survey, sponsored by the Mellon’s Human Resource and Investor Solutions, Ridgefield Park, N.J., revealed that the vast majority of the employers adopting HSAs are adding them as an option for employees, while just 2% plan them as total replacement. A total of 66% of employers expect to contribute to the accounts.
The survey looked at more than 360 employers averaging 9,000 employees.
On average, 16% of eligible employees are enrolled in HSAs.
“Small employers and individual consumers are leading the HSA charge this year,” said Brad Engel, national health and welfare product leader with HR&IS. “But 2006 will see an explosion of HSAs, with many more large employers adding them to their benefits package.”