Generally CDHPs involve :

• A three-tier structure of payment for health care: a tax-exempt health account that an individual uses to pay for health expenses up to a certain amount, a high-deductible health insurance policy that pays for expenses over the deductible, and a gap between those two in which the individual pays any health care expenses out of their own pocket

• Individuals have the opportunity to to save money that they do not spend this year for health care expenses in future years (or, in some plans, for withdrawal during retirement)

• Support systems (usually on the internet) to help individuals select good providers, get  reasonable prices, track their health care expenses, and improve their health

Aetna Expands Consumer-Directed Product Suite
"As the trend toward consumerism in health benefits continues to gain momentum, Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced several new offerings to its Aetna HealthFund family of products that expand consumer decision-making and control. The product family will now include dental plan options, a long-term care premium reimbursement program and a stand-alone pharmacy fund."

AHRQ: Agency for Health Research and Quality
"The information presented here will help you choose a plan that is right for you. You may be buying health insurance for the first time, or you may already have health insurance but want to consider changing plans. Married or single, children or no children, this information will help you to find out how to choose a health insurance plan that best meets your needs and your pocketbook"

Atlantic Information Services: May 30, 2003 issue of INSIDE CONSUMER-DIRECTED CARE
"CDH plans could help employers lower premiums and make employees better health care consumers, but a new study says that few insurers have considered financial ramifications of large-scale adoption of the plans"

Atlantic Information Services: June 27, 2003 issue of INSIDE CONSUMER-DIRECTED CARE
"Based on a series of focus groups with employees of the manufacturer, which asked not to be identified, benefits consulting firm Synhrgy HR Technologies, Inc. concludes that CDH will force insurers to produce more accurate claims and pressure employers to provide ongoing support. Employees also are less likely to embrace Web tools in the early stages of implementation, according to an advance copy of the report obtained by ICDC. The study is based on meetings with 33 blue- and white-collar employees"

American Medical Association: Congress considers new version of expanded MSAs
"Legislation added to the recently passed House Medicare reform bill would let more companies offer medical savings accounts and create two new products called health savings accounts and health savings security accounts. At press time, House and Senate lawmakers were debating whether these provisions would be in the final Medicare package"

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois: BlueEdge
"The BlueEdge plan offers several advantages over other health plans. Your employer establishes a Health Care Account for you and your family. The first dollars spent on covered health care services are paid from this account. While you need to meet a deductible each benefit year, the money spent from the Health Care Account counts toward meeting that deductible. Plus, your BlueEdge PPO covers preventive care and wellness visits - at 100% in-network - even before a deductible is met"

BenefitNews: "Consumer-Driven Health" On a Roll
"Now slipping off tongues as 'CDHPs,' consumer-driven health plans have shaken the initial misnomer of "defined contribution" benefits and flowered into an array of plan designs for fully and self-insured markets. Traditional insurers have introduced their products, nipping at the heels of upstarts. Initial studies suggest HRAs may shave 8% to 13% off plan costs by encouraging consumers to limit spending on discretionary care."

BenefitNews: Debit cards unlock potential savings in FSAs, HRAs
"Debit cards are proving to be a tremendous tool in the battle to tame double-digit health care cost increases and arm employees with the ability to make better decisions. The most compelling evidence is that debit-card technology has unlocked the long-dormant potential of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), whose enrollment is running about 40% to 50% across our client base. That represents as much as a 300% increase over the lackluster 10% to 15% industry average"

BenefitNews: Debit card rules boost FSAs, HRAs
"Legal and health experts say employers offering flexible spending and health reimbursement accounts have reason to celebrate IRS guidance issued last month regarding the use of debit cards for such accounts. The new rules ease confusion on legal and financial liability issues surrounding debit cards, which some say will spur more employers to offer and more employees to use them"

Consumer Driven Health Care
"ConsumerDrivenHealthCare.us is intended to help employers, self-employed individuals, employees, and policy makers: to better understand the structure, pros, and cons of various types of CDHC health plans; and to choose among the different CDHC companies and options." "

Defined Care: e-Poll Results May 2002
"A number of Defined Care 2002 Summit Attendees and other Defined Care web site visitors participated in a Defined Care awareness poll during April and early May 2002. The survey requested a "yes", "no", or "not sure" response to the statement "I am aware of at least one Defined Contribution Health Plan/ Consumer Driven health plan product offered in my market area." The survey also asked respondents to "list up to five Defined Contribution Health Plan/ Consumer Driven companies" that the respondent was aware of (if any). Respondents were also asked two identifying questions: their zip code, and their perspective (consumer, employer, provider, plan, or other professional.)"

Definity Health
Definity Health, founded in 1998 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers a CDHC product that includes a health account, high-deductible health insurance, and online support services. The account is most similar to an HRA for large employers. The online support includes information on provider quality and prices, health expense tracking, and care management. Definity Health has enrolled approximately two hundred thousand people through over fifty organizations, including over a dozen Fortune 500 companies. Definity Health has received awards from the National Business Group on Health, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and the Health Insurance Association of America.

Destiny Health
Destiny Health, part of the international company Discovery Health (with over a million enrollees), offers a CDHC product that includes an account, high-deductible insurance, and online support services. The account is most similar to an HRA for large employers. Destiny Health has enrolled over 20,000 people through over 700 employers. Destiny Health was recently called a leader in the field of CDHC by Forrester Research.

eBenX: Health and Welfare Benefits
"For more than 10 years, eBenX has accurately and efficiently moved data and dollars between the buyers and sellers of health and welfare benefits. eBenX uses its unique proprietary technology, the Internet and strategic support services to simplify and automate the purchase, administration and payment of group health and welfare benefits. Utilizing eBenX technology and services results in reduced administrative and health care costs for employers, strengthened client relationships and improved efficiencies for brokers; reduced administrative costs and the ability to package new products for health plans and other carriers; and more choice, convenience and improved service for employees, retirees and their dependents."

eHealthInsurance: Compare Plans & Companies Here
"The leading online service to learn about, compare and buy health insurance. Largest Selection of Health Plans. Leading health insurance companies. Best prices. Easiest Way to Compare. Instant health insurance quotes. Side-by-side comparisons. Get Help and Advice. 100+ representatives and licensed professionals. Toll-free phone, email and chat"

Golden Rule Insurance Company
"Golden Rule Insurance Company is a major provider of health insurance for groups and individuals, life insurance, and annuities. Golden Rule has been recognized by Ward Financial Group as one of the 50 Top Performers companies that have done the best job of balancing financial safety, consistency and performance over the past 5 years according to Business Insurance... Medical Savings Account Plans help you take control of your health care expenses with a tax-favored savings account and quality medical coverage."

HealthAllies
HealthAllies, offers "Consumer Choice Networks" that provide discounted prices and customized benefit plans. HealthAllies' website enables employees to research health care topics and compare discounted prices. They received an award from the Adaptive Business Leaders Organization.

HealthInsurance.com
"HealthInsurance.com empowers small businesses and individuals to make informed health insurance decisions. Utilizing the convenience of the web, HealthInsurance.com makes it easier for individuals and small-business owners to make informed choices about providing health insurance for themselves and their employees."

HealthInsurance.info
"Some health insurance websites help people to get quotes for health insurance from certain companies. Other sites explain the basics of health insurance so that people can better understand their options. Some sites provide current news about health insurance, like defined contribution and Health Reimbursement Arrangements. Still other websites discuss public policy concerning health insurance. The purpose of HealthInsurance.info is to provide all of this information in one educational website... HealthInsurance.info is designed to help employers get the best health insurance for their employees and to help individuals get the best health insurance for themselves and their dependents"

HealthInsurance.org
"Affordable health insurance for individuals, families, the self-employed. Here are the tools to help you become a better-informed health insurance consumer, and get quotes from reputable, financially-stable insurance companies"

HealthInsuranceInfo.net
"Georgetown University Institute for Health Care Research and Policy has written A CONSUMER GUIDE FOR GETTING AND KEEPING HEALTH INSURANCE for each state and the District of Columbia - fifty-one in all. These Consumer Guides are available at this web site and will be updated periodically as changes in federal and state policy warrant."

HealthMarket
HealthMarket, founded in 1999 and based in Connecticut, offers several CDHC products including an account, high- deductible health insurance, and online support services. HealthMarket has enrolled over 35,000 people through over 2,000 employers. HealthMarket has received awards from Anderson Consulting, the Center for Business Innovation, and the Consumer Directed Health Care Conference.

HealthPartners
"HealthPartners is a family of nonprofit Minnesota health care organizations focused on improving the health of its members, its patients and the community. HealthPartners is consumer-governed. HealthPartners and its related organizations provide health care services, insurance and HMO coverage to nearly 660,000 members."

Heartland Institute: Consumer-Driven Plans Blooming: by Greg Scandlen
"Health insurance products designed to give consumers a bigger say in their coverage--and consequently become more discriminating consumers of health care services--are multiplying at a dizzying pace."

Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA)
"The Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA) HIAA is the voice of America's health insurers, who protect consumers from the financial risks of illness and injury by providing flexible and affordable products and services that embody freedom of choice... HIAA is a member-driven trade association that shapes and influences state and federal public policy through advocacy, research, and the timely accumulation, analysis, and dissemination of critical information to its members."

Humana Inc
"Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the nation's largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 6.4 million medical members located primarily in 18 states and Puerto Rico. Humana offers coordinated health insurance coverage and related services, through traditional and Internet-based plans, to employer groups, and government-sponsored plans."

Lumenos
Lumenos, founded in 1999 and based on Alexandria, Virginia, offers a CDHC product that includes a health account, high-deductible health insurance, and online support services. The account is most similar to an HRA for large employers. The support provides information on provider quality, health management, expense tracking, and provider help by phone. Certain preventative care services are paid separately. Lumenos has enrolled over 70,000 people through a growing number of companies including those in the Fortune 500. Lumenos recently received awards at the Consumer Directed Health Care Conference in Las Vegas. They also recently received an additional $10 million dollars in venture capital funding.

MyHealthBank.com
"MyHealthBank was founded in April 2000 by leaders in healthcare, health insurance, health benefits, and technology with the vision of leading the revolution of a consumer-driven healthcare marketplace. MyHealthBank's product vision is based on the pillars of self-direction: a solid insurance foundation, comprehensive seamless self-service, personal health accounts, and online marketplaces that share quality and cost information. MyHealthBank is focused exclusively on developing and delivering self-directed software systems for health insurers"

NATIONAL CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS: Health Reimbursement Arrangements: Making a Good Deal Better
"The proportion of health care paid directly by consumers has been falling for decades. In 1960, individuals paid directly for 50 percent of their health care. Today they pay for only 15 percent. The other 85 percent is paid by third parties, generally employers, insurance companies or the government. See Figure. As their share of health expenses declined, so also did consumers' interest in controlling health care costs. For example, if patients pay only 15 cents out of each dollar they spend on health care, they have an incentive to consume care until its worth to them is only 15 cents at the margin"

Physician.info
"This site is an educational service of Physician.info that is free for both consumers and providers. It is intended to provide people with educational links to help them: to find a physician in a particular State (find a doctor in a particular State), including information about physician practice locations and credentials: and to find which physicians are on the medical staff at which hospitals in a particular State. While these resources are available elsewhere on the internet, the goal of Physician.info is to provide them all for each State

The Segal Group: HHS SAYS HIPAA RULES APPLY TO FLEXIBLE SPENDING ARRANGEMENTS
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finally answered whether flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) are covered under the Administrative Simplification provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). According to a Frequently Asked Question that HHS published on April 24, 2003, the answer is "yes"

UnitedHealthcare
"UnitedHealthcare... serving employers, consumers, physicians, brokers and agents... products and services that put individual customers at the center of their health by encouraging access and use of timely health information. You'll see a broad range of benefit plans integrating medical and specialty products and specialty products"

USA Today: Health care costs force benefit changes Percentage, not co-pay, considered
"Small and midsize employers are scrambling to change health benefits, with rapidly rising costs leading some to return to charging employees a percentage of medical costs and drug bills"

Vivius
"Vivius, founded in 2000 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers an account that is more similar to a Customized Sub-Capitation Account (CSSA) than a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). Individual employees each create their own customized provider network. Vivius began enrollment in Spokane, Washington. Its platform is planned for use in over a dozen markets during the next three years"