High-Deductible Health Plans Affect Men More

A new study by Katy B. Kozhimannil, PhD, of the University of Minnesota, and colleagues reveals a sex-specific response to high-deductible health plans (HDHP).

The study, published in Medical Care (2013;51:639-645), followed more than 6,000 men and women before and after their employers mandated a switch from traditional HMO to an HDHP, and found a dramatic decrease in the number of emergency room (ER) visits.

Men reduced ER visits at all severity levels (low, intermediate, and high) by 21.5%-34.4%, whereas women reduced only low severity visits (by 27%). Men also had a 24% decrease in hospitalizations in the first year but a 30% increase in hospitalizations between years 1 and 2.

Initial across-the-board reductions in ER and hospital care followed by increased hospitalizations “imply that men may have foregone needed care following an HDHP transition,” the authors concluded.

From the November 01, 2013 Issue of Renal and Urology News