Which type of health plan is associated with higher patient out-of-pocket expenditures and cost-saving measures?

High-Deductible Health Plans with a Savings Option (HDHP/SO) are indeed associated with higher patient out-of-pocket expenditures and cost-saving measures. These plans require enrollees to pay a higher deductible before insurance coverage kicks in. This means that individuals will often face significant costs upfront for their medical expenses until they reach the deductible threshold.

The design of HDHPs encourages consumers to be more cost-conscious about their healthcare decisions, as they will pay a larger share of the costs of their care until their deductible is met. This can lead to patients seeking lower-cost options or delaying care, which the plan aims to achieve through cost-saving measures. Additionally, the "Savings Option" aspect often means that these plans can be paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which allow for tax-advantaged savings for medical expenses, further emphasizing the financial responsibility placed on the individuals.

In summary, the structure of high-deductible plans, combined with the associated financial tools like HSAs, directly relates to higher out-of-pocket costs for patients and encourages a more judicious approach to healthcare spending.