Annual health care benefit cost increases running at twice the rate of inflation, coupled with an economy in freefall, are pushing a growing number of large employers to offer consumer-directed health (CDH) plans, the forthcoming 14th annual National Business Group on Health/Watson Wyatt Employer Survey on Purchasing Value in Health Care finds. more»

If all the talk in Washington about using electronic medical records to cut health-care costs makes your eyes glaze over, it might help to consider the experience of Holly Jacobson.

For two years, the 41-year-old employee of an educational nonprofit in Sacramento, Calif., has been using the My Health Manager Web site provided by her health plan, Kaiser Permanente, to access her electronic medical records. When she has her cholesterol checked, or one of her two children is tested for strep throat, she goes there to click on links that explain the test results. more»

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- As health care costs continue to rise, more companies are adopting consumer- directed health plans that would lower their own costs but potentially raise costs for employees. more»

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elsie Macky of Grovetown, Ga., was having difficulty affording the medications that help control her chronic health conditions. Humana Cares was there to help. more»

Consumer-directed healthcare (CDH) remains a potentially cost-saving, patient-empowering movement, but member buy-in is still not there yet—and the success or failure of these plans may decide whether private health insurers survive. more»

Thomas Weisman, MD, might be the last person you'd expect to be a foot soldier in a trendy new war on medical costs known as "consumer-driven health plans."

Weisman, 59, has a chronic disease that requires frequent visits to doctors and pharmacies. Nonetheless, in January, he switched from an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield HMO to the company's consumer-driven health plan (CDHP). more»