Aetna members enrolled in a health savings account had more than 15% lower primary care physician use for non-routine visits, and more than 10 percent lower overall medical costs than members in a PPO plan, according to the insurer’s latest annual study of  its CDHPs.

The study of two million Aetna members shows sustained savings over time and increased member engagement in their health. The results also indicate that HSA members are more involved in their health care — they are two and a half times more likely to use online tools and three times more likely to take a health assessment than their PPO counterparts. Key findings include:

• For full-replacement HRA and HSA plans, employers saved $18 million per 10,000 members over five years.

• Employers that offer Aetna’s HRA and HSA plans experienced savings of $9 million per 10,000 members over five years for the total population, not just those people enrolled in an Aetna plan.

• Members spent more on preventive care and accessed higher levels of screenings for breast and cervical cancer compared with members in traditional PPO plans. In addition, diabetics are accessing screenings at higher rates than diabetics enrolled in traditional PPO plans.

• Members visited the emergency room less than their PPO counterparts.

• Members used generic drugs at higher rates than those in a PPO plan.

This year’s study also validates several best practices for employers to successfully implement a consumerism strategy and achieve better overall results, including:

• Fostering a culture where employees and senior executives are engaged health care consumers.

• Implementing a focused and ongoing employee education campaign.

• Offering wellness programs and incentives for healthy behavior.

• Providing 100-percent preventive care coverage.

• Carefully constructing a plan with the right mix of member responsibility.

• Steering employees to the CDHP choice by lowering the employee contribution or increasing the fund amount.