What is one potential outcome of CDHPs related to preventative healthcare services?

The correct answer highlights a notable trend seen with Consumer-Directed Health Plans (CDHPs), particularly regarding the impact on the utilization of preventative services. When individuals are subject to deductibles in a CDHP, it may create a financial barrier that discourages them from seeking necessary preventative care.

This response underscores a critical observation in health economics: while CDHPs are designed to empower consumers to make informed healthcare choices by sharing costs, the requirement for enrollees to meet deductibles before insurance funds are made available can lead to decreased utilization of preventative services. Individuals might forego checking up and routine screenings due to perceived costs associated with these services, which can have long-term implications for both individual health outcomes and overall healthcare spending.

The other options do not align with this understanding. The first option suggests that CDHPs encourage more frequent use of preventative services, which contradicts the observed barriers related to cost-sharing. The third option inaccurately implies that all preventative services are guaranteed coverage, while CDHPs typically require individuals to navigate deductibles before costs are covered. Lastly, while it's true that CDHPs can lead to increased out-of-pocket expenses, saying they "significantly increase" these expenses specifically for preventative care does not capture the nuanced