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Q: HSA plan has higher premiums!?!
asked by: SMB2008 on November 7th, 2008
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I am recently self employed and shopping for family health insurance for myself (38 yo), my wife (35 yo), and my daughter (6 yo), all healthy. We live in the fine State of Oregon.

I have read Paul Zane Pilzer's book: "The New Health Insurance Solution" and was very interested in his discussion and endorsement of Health Savings Account High-Deductible health insurance plans.

However, in researching different types of plans (including HSA plans), many of the estimated premium quotes I am getting on HSA qualified plans are $50-106 more expensive than a comparable non-HSA plan with a roughly equivalent deductible.

The only reason I can see is perhaps the difference in the annual deductibles. Although they all tout deductibles in the $2200-$2500 range, the non-HSA plans seem to be indicating that is 'per-person' whereas the HSA plans are 'total family' deductibles.

Am I analyzing this correctly? If so, are HSA's still a good 'value'?

Thanks,
SMB
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vorofco
replied on November 16th, 2008
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HSA
If you are healthy as you claim. Get a regular insurance plan. Figure out how much you can afford if a catastrophy hits and declare that for your deductible.
Also, make sure if does have a "family deductible limit" AND make sure you know your "Maximum Out of Pocket Expense" and if there is a Maximum out of pocket expense for the family as well:

ie:
you have a $2,500 deductible per person
with a Max family deductible of $5,000
All three of you in the family are in the hospital
All three of you WILL not have to pay $2,500 (just two of you)
Now, they may divide it up, but in the end, no more than $5,000
Claims department will also keep billing you over the $5,000 so you will have to call them and tell them you met your family out of pocket deductible.
Maximum Out of Pocket Expense
The policy may say there is a $10,000 maximum out of pocket expense
Same thing applies.
Does the Dr copay and RX apply to this and the deductible (ask you insurance company, not an agent)
HSA's are great if you know you are going to use the money, but if the premiums are less on a fixed, do the regular.
Also, if you complete paying your deductible in Oct, Nov or Dec of any year, it should carry over into the next year and you shouldn't have to pay it again the following year.

Hope this helps

Hope this helps.
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