Health Savings Account Owners: Satisfied with Their Accounts, Want to Keep Them as Savings Option for Americans

Survey Finds HSAs Are Used Most by Those Making Less Than $75,000 a Year
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.--(Business Wire)--
Health savings account (HSA) owners are overwhelmingly satisfied with their
accounts, and 91 percent believe such accounts should remain an option for
Americans, according to a nationwide survey released today by OptumHealth Inc.
More than 80 percent of respondents cite their ability to save for future health
care expenses as the primary reason for opening and depositing money into their
HSAs. The survey also found that 70 percent of HSA participants make $75,000 a
year or less in income.

"HSAs have very strong support across a broad range of income levels and are
helping people be better health care consumers," said Chad Wilkins, chief
executive officer for OptumHealth Financial Services.

OptumHealth`s survey found 82 percent of HSA owners are satisfied with their
accounts; 78 percent believe the continued availability of HSAs should be part
of any health care reform that may occur; and 74 percent agreed they would
recommend an HSA to a friend or family member. Three out of 10 respondents said
that they wouldn`t have health insurance if it were not for their HSAs.

The study also showed that HSA owners are engaged with their financial and
physical well-being. For example, 64 percent of the respondents said they
inquired about generic options for medication and 47 percent indicated they
asked their care providers about charges.

HSA owners also agree that people need to become more engaged in their health
care. The survey found that 83 percent of respondents agreed people should
research health care options and try to get the best price - just like they do
for other major consumer purchases; 72 percent of respondents said that
individuals should be responsible for helping to manage their own health care
costs.

Employers are increasingly turning to consumer directed health plans (CDHPs) and
HSAs to provide health coverage to their employees and dependents. According to
a Watson Wyatt Worldwide and National Business Group on Health survey, 51
percent of companies now have a CDHP in place, a 9 percent increase from last
year. Inside Consumer-Directed Healthcare reported that the number of HSAs grew
about 40 percent year-over-year as of January 2009 and average savings balances
grew 45 percent.

"With increased employer demand, more HSA use by consumers and the positive
responses from our survey, it is clear that these accounts are valued as a tool
to help people meet their health care needs," Wilkins said.

The survey was conducted online by an independent research firm between Feb. 27,
2009, and March 20, 2009, with a random national sample of 500 HSA owners.

The survey measured satisfaction level, motivations for having an HSA and
effects the accounts had on engaging people in managing a portion of their
health care savings and spending. Participants had an HSA for at least one year,
were covered by a high-deductible health plan and had an active HSA at the time
of the survey. Margin of error for the survey was 4 percentage points or better
with 95 percent confidence.

HSAs are tax-free health spending and savings accounts available to individuals
and families who have qualified high-deductible health insurance policies as
determined by IRS regulation. OptumHealth Bank, Member FDIC, is one of the
largest administrators of HSAs, with about 500,000 accounts and nearly $800
million in HSA deposits and investments.*

About OptumHealth

OptumHealth Inc. helps individuals navigate the health care system, finance
their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. The
company`s personalized health advocacy and engagement programs tap a unique
combination of capabilities that encompass care solutions, behavioral solutions,
specialty benefits and financial services. Serving 60 million people,
OptumHealth is one of the nation`s largest health and wellness businesses, and
is a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company. More information about OptumHealth
can be found at www.optumhealth.com.

* Health savings accounts are provided by OptumHealth Bank, Inc., Member FDIC.

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OptumHealth
Brad Lotterman, 714-445-0453
Senior Manager, External Communications
brad.lotterman@optumhealth.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009