HSA-Linked Credit: Putting Dough In The HSA Doughnut Hole

HSA-Linked Credit: Putting Dough In The HSA Doughnut Hole published by Mercator Advisory Group, Inc. in June, 2007. This report consists of 27 pages, 8 exhibits and the price starts from US $ 2950.

Introduction

Abstract

This report examines the emerging market for consumer credit facilities to bridge the gap between a subscriber' s out-of-pocket medical expense obligations under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) and any accumulated assets held in a health savings account (HSA). High deductibles are what HDHPs economically attractive in terms of lower premiums. The funding gap is intended to be filled by assets from consumers' HSAs, which offer a tax-advantaged savings vehicle for HDHP participants. Topics explored include:

• The structural gap between out of pocket expenses under a high deductible health plan and any potential HSA-based savings creates an opportunity for credit extension.
• HDHPs are growing quickly from a small base, although the future growth trajectory is questionable. Credit facilities for employees could actually enable more employers to adopt HDHPs.
• Early credit experience with HDHP participants has been positive, but may be colored by early adopters who are healthier and wealthier.
• Credit providers so far have focused on two primary models: extending a line of credit to individuals, or underwriting a broad employer based group through payroll deductions.
• HDHP-related credit could reach $1.5 Billion in outstandings by 2010.

The study examines the emerging needs for credit under these plans, and the approaches taken by early providers addressing the market need. Ken Paterson, Director of the Credit Advisory Service at Mercator Advisory Group and the author of this report comments that, "An analogy often made is that the shift to HDHP' s is like the shift from defined benefit pensions to defined contribution 401(k) plans. HDHP participants and sponsors work under specified contributory limits and responsibilities, much like a 401(k). But a key difference is that you can, in theory, plan for retirement in a specific year, or you can move the date around a bit at your discretion if circumstances permit. It is a lot harder to time a medical emergency for that date when your HSA balance will cover your deductibles. So into the breach rides credit, and a number of early market entrants are demonstrating the need can be met using a variety of approaches. Credit may in fact come to play a critical role in increasing the appeal of HDHPs for employers concerned about employees' ability to meet their out-of-pocket obligations."

The report is 27 pages long and contains 8 exhibits

Table of Contents

• TABLE OF FIGURES
• Introduction

I. Defining The Problem And The Opportunity

• Early, Fuzzy Statistics
• Potential Gaps, Potential Credit Opportunities

II. Credit To The Rescue

• First, The Dark Side
• The Early Debate About HDHP Credit Users
• Alternative Approaches To Delivering Credit
• Individual Line of Credit
  • Example #1: American Express HealthPay Plus
  • Example #2: JP Morgan Chase
  • Example #3: Bank of America/ MedImpact
  • Example #4: Canopy Financial HealthDirect Platform/ CardLink
• Payroll Deduction
  • Example #5: Canopy Financial HealthScore
  • Example #6: MedDirect Health Bridge Line
  • Example #7: E-Duction HSA Credit Solutions

III. Credit Outlook

TABLE OF FIGURES

• Figure 1: Estimated 2006 HDHP Participant Breakdown
• Figure 2: Early Patterns Suggest Individual HDHP Purchasers Are Less Likely To Open An HSA Than Employees
• Figure 3: Both Low Income and Lack of Employer Contribution Lead To Low HSA Opening
• Figure 4: Projected HDHP Participants Without A Funded HSA
• Figure 5: Even With Maximum Allowed Contributions, Plan Participants May Still Have A Year1 Deficit
• Figure 6: More Than One Type Of Gap To Fill
• Figure 7: Multiple Paths To A Health Funding Gap (Family Coverage Example)
• Figure 8: Medical Debt Rises Among All Insured Adults With Higher Plan Deductibles
• Figure 9: Medical Debt Has Been Linked To Bankruptcy
• Figure 10: Two Sides of the HSA Credit Opportunity
• Figure 11: HDHP-Linked Credit Potential (Projected Outstandings $000)

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