WATERBURY, Conn., June 21, 2010  According to HSA Bank, a division of Webster Bank, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are now accepted as a mainstream healthcare option.

The Bank released today the results of its 2010 Consumer Benchmark Survey which indicates that people with an HSA have similar characteristics, including age, health and income, as those with traditional health plans, such as HMOs and PPOs, that do no include an HSA option:

• 57.5% (HSA) and 60.9 percent (non-HSA health plan) were age 45 or older 
  

• 94.9% (HSA) and 93.9% (non-HSA health plan) considered themselves of average or better health 
  

• 44% (HSA) and 45% (non-HSA health plan) earned an annual household income ranging from $25,000 to $75,000.
  

"Since the HSA became available in 2004, opponents have argued that the accounts are only beneficial for the young, healthy and wealthy," said Itamar Romanini, senior vice president of Business Development at HSA Bank. "Our survey results are a strong indication that HSAs can benefit anyone, and have joined the ranks of other mainstream healthcare options like PPOs and HMOs."