More than 20 percent of the state's employers are embracing a lower-cost health insurance option for their employees, propelling it into second place among health plan product categories in Michigan.

A recent survey of 832 Michigan employers by United Benefits Advisors showed that consumer-driven health plans have overtaken HMO plans in popularity in this state, according to a report from Business Review West Michigan.

Consumer-driven plans engage the insured employees to make choices regarding their care and typically involve health screening and wellness components.

The average per-employee cost for a consumer-driven plan is $6,906 per year, compared to $7,925 for the state's top insurance product: the PPO, or preferred provider organization.

Recent studies by insurers offer data that support the growth from the patient perspective: Aetna Inc. reported in spring 2009 that a six-year study involving 2.6 million subscribers of consumer-driven plans showed sustained savings for employers.

And a report by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association said that people in consumer-driven plans are more likely to get a regular health checkup or health screening than those with other types of plans.