Subjects:
Public Health
Topics:
child with special needs, economics, employer, fiberoptic examinations anoscopy high resolution, incentives, child health, cost sharing, government, medical home, money

The federal government should consider restricting high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to adults because the plans discourage families from seeking primary care for their children, according to an updated AAP policy statement.

High-Deductible Health Plans (

Pediatrics
 
2014
;
133
:
e1461
-e1470
), from the AAP Committee on Child Health Financing, reviews the pros and (mostly) cons of HDHPs and suggests how the plans could be improved.

More than 5 million people younger than 20 years are enrolled in HDHP plans. A 2013 survey found 20% of small companies and 40% of large ones offered an HDHP plan to its employees, with 20% of all employers having an HDHP as the only choice. In addition, such plans increasingly are used by companies employing mostly low-income workers.

To receive government approval, the 2013 plans required a minimum deductible of $1,250 for an individual and $2,500 for a family. Total out-of-pocket expenses...

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