Consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) in the United States experienced continued growth this year, though at a slower pace than in 2009 and 2010, according to preliminary results released last week by United Benefit Advisors LLC. According to the nationwide survey, the number of CDHPs increased by 13.9 percent during the survey period (Oct. 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011). The 2011 survey included 16,421 health plans and 10,744 employers.

The survey estimated that 17.3 percent of employees with health insurance are now covered by a CDHP, which may be structured as either a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) or a health savings account (HSA). Both types of coverage use high-deductible insurance plans.

The 2011 survey found the average U.S. employer contribution to an HRA was $1,656 (up from $1,481 in 2010) for a single employee and $3,198 for a family (up from $2,857 in 2010).