How high-deductible health plans affect health spending and care use based on income levels
Official title: Impact of High-Deductible Health Plan Enrollment on Health Spending and Utilization: Comparisons by Income
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11001994 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how high-deductible health insurance plans affect how much people spend on healthcare and how often they use medical services, especially for those with lower incomes, to see if these plans make it harder for them to get the care they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $73,800 |
| NIH project number | 5R03TR004806-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001994 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults aged 21 and older who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans and come from various income backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in high-deductible health plans or those who do not face financial barriers to healthcare may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of high-deductible health insurance plans on healthcare spending and utilization, particularly focusing on how these effects differ among various income groups. It aims to understand whether these plans, which often lead to reduced medical service use, negatively affect access to essential healthcare services, especially for low-income individuals who may already face health disparities. By employing a difference-in-differences analysis, the study will compare health outcomes before and after enrollment in high-deductible plans against a control group. The findings will provide valuable insights into the implications of these insurance models on patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could inform policy changes that improve access to necessary healthcare services for individuals enrolled in high-deductible health plans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that high-deductible health plans can lead to reduced healthcare utilization, but this study aims to provide new insights into the specific impacts on different income groups.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cliff, Elizabeth Querna — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Cliff, Elizabeth Querna
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.