Thanks to Instagram, the word “influencer” has gotten a bad rap. But pre-Kim Kardashian, being an influencer was pretty rad. It meant a person, company, or other entity had the power to affect the decisions of others because of their authority and expertise.

Consider high deductible health plans—HDHPs for the hip crowd. Since their inception in 2004, they’ve been growing like wildfire due to increased availability and options from both employers and the government. Back in 2007, HDHPs represented only 5% of plans, by 2016 they represented 29% of total covered workers in America, and now roughly half the nation is covered with a high deductible plan. Why? Because the way they empower people is influencing healthcare consumerism on a whole new level. 

So how exactly are HDHPs becoming the healthcare trendsetters of our generation? Let’s take a look.

Money talks

First and foremost, HDHPs save the average participant big bucks. Yes, deductibles are higher, but premiums are much lower, meaning that most subscribers will experience significant savings over time. 

Not only do HDHPs reduce the cost of services for individuals, but they also save employers—and the nation—money, because participants feel more ownership over their healthcare and thus make choices that require less expensive medical care. One prime example is taking advantage of zero-deductible preventive care services, which encourage yearly, proactive contact with medical providers and lead to healthier long-term outcomes.

Choice equals power

Consumer choice almost always drives down costs, and HDHPs offer far more choice than traditional plans. Knowing the price of healthcare gives power back to the people, adds competition to the marketplace, and ultimately leads to lower healthcare costs.

Here at MotivHealth, we’ve created a price transparency tool that lifts the longstanding veil around healthcare prices and allows you to compare the costs of different providers and facilities before you go, ultimately keeping your money where it belongs—in your pocket.

HSAs—more than just a Visa

Along with low premiums and more choice, HDHPs have one other massive advantage: the health savings accounts that go along with them. HSAs allow participants to use employer contributions and their own pre-tax earnings to cover out-of-pocket health care expenses. If the money isn’t needed, it can be stashed away forever—it never expires and belongs to the account holder, not the employer.

And the cherry on top of all of this? HSAs are triple tax-advantaged, which means you can make tax-free contributions, earn tax-free interest, and pay for qualified medical expenses like copayments, prescriptions, and dental and vision care—you guessed it—tax-free. With your HSA-based HDHP, you’ll be as on-trend as the Kardashians.