Problems found with consumer-directed health plans

Portland Business Journal, July 10, 2008

Although consumer-driven health plans have been hailed as a tool to help control costs, they actually motivate plan members to forgo care and discontinue drugs to treat chronic medical problems, according to two new studies by Oregon researchers. The research has found people enrolled in these plans were more likely to quit taking drugs that control high blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications than participants with more robust medical coverage.