Employers and consumers alike are adopting health savings accounts as a viable way to manage their health care costs without compromising care, according to two national surveys released Thursday.

The "2011 Employer and Account Holder Surveys," commissioned by ACS and conducted by Buck Consultants, show a majority of small employers (77 percent) believe high deductible health plans with an HSA are key in controlling health care costs. Additionally, more than half (56 percent) of account holders have found that their HSA-qualified plan provides an affordable health care option.

"This year's survey results reveal an interesting phenomenon — HSAs are doing more than just saving consumers and employers money. They are prompting a shift in behavior that is helping employees make better decisions about their own health care," says Tom Hricik, principal, The ACS | HSA Solution.