A survey of benefits managers by the Pharmacy Benefit Management Institute finds that many employers have shifted to high-deductible health plans but remain concerned about whether the plans are limiting their employees' ability to afford critical medication.

The survey of 273 benefits managers found that 79 percent offer a HDHP and 44 percent have a separate deductible for pharmacy benefits. Among the respondents, the average family deductible is $3,571. Many of the responding members voiced concerns about their members not being able to afford the deductible and not understanding how deductibles work.

In fact, the top three challenges of HDHPs, as expressed by employers, were employees' inability to afford medications before the deductible was met; lack of member understanding about deductibles; and lack of member engagement.