New HSA Data Reveal Greater Use of the Bank Account When Employers Integrate Their Health & Financial Solutions

February 7, 2007

Majority of consumers open their accounts, contribute funds and carry over balances; Average enrollee contributes $1,206 annually; 86 percent carry a balance from year to year; Plans proving to be an important element in advancing health care affordability and quality

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) has found that employers using an integrated health and financial strategy when offering a Health Savings Account (HSA) are stimulating much greater engagement among employees enrolled in an HSA-based health plan. An integrated model most typically includes online enrollment technologies, a company contribution to the HSA and/or thorough communications about the benefit design.

An analysis by UnitedHealth Group of 25,000 HSA enrollees whose employers use an integrated model found that a majority of those individuals open the bank account, contribute their own funds and carry balances over from year to year. This data reinforce that consumers, when given the proper support, are increasingly more comfortable with the HSA model and are better understanding the advantages of saving early on for future health care expenses.

Across UnitedHealth Group, nearly 1 million individuals are now enrolled in an HSA-based health plan, and an additional 1.1 million are enrolled in a plan with a Health Reimbursement Account. Exante Financial Services is the nation’s largest HSA administrator, with over 250,000 HSAs and $300 million in deposits.