PPO Deductibles close to High Deductible Health Plan Deductible Threshold

In a February 6, 2017 Society for Human Resource Management article by Stephen Miller, it was explained that PPO deductibles have been rising at a higher rate than high deductible health plan (HDHP) deductibles, with the PPO family average of $2,421 being just slightly below the $2,600 family deductible minimum for a HDHP.   The figure is significant because if a health plan is a HDHP (and only if a health plan is a HDHP), a health savings accounts (HSA) can be maintained, to which tax-deductible contributions can be made.  Also, analyzing the change from 2016 to 2017, the percent of premiums required to be paid by employees for coverage increased at a much higher rate for HDHPs than the rate applicable to PPOs.