Health savings accounts (HSA) are growing in popularity and employees have more choices in health care benefits, according to the second annual “State of Employee Benefits” report released this week by Benefitfocus Inc.

The provider of cloud-based benefits management software compiled the report using anonymous benefit election data from employees of more than 500 of its clients. The report revealed key insights about employee benefits and health care.

"This year's report documents the continued shift by employers to consumer-driven health care plan designs," Benefitfocus Co-founder and CEO Shawn Jenkins said. "Employers and employees on the Benefitfocus Platform continue to see greater choice, personalization and benefit from the intersection of health care with personal finance."

Along with more choices in health care benefits, the report found that PPOs remain the most popular health plans, although high-deductible health plans were featured in three out of five large employer benefit offerings.

The report also found that participation in health plans is variable based on age and wage, and that employees are paying more for health care regardless of plan. At the same time, employees are saving more through health savings accounts, especially millennials, and employers are more likely to offer voluntary benefits.

"Based on the data, it's clear that individuals on the Benefitfocus Platform are becoming savvier benefit consumers, carefully considering their financial and health situation with each plan,” Jenkins said. “As employers continue to shift additional financial responsibility for health care to their workforce, they must invest in leading technology, resources and tools that guide employees to better informed decisions."