High-deductible health plans not attracting individuals.

Byline: Jane M. Von Bergen

Dec. 7--Even as employer-interest in consumer-directed or high-deductible health plans continues to grow, the plans are not attracting people who buy their own insurance, even though premiums are lower, according to a report released today. The report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute in Washington and the Commonwealth Fund, in New York, says that many people with high-premium plans could qualify for tax benefits through a health savings account, but do not have them, usually because they can't afford to contribute to the account. Some plans allow preventative care to be excluded from the deductible, but just over half of those…