Should I choose a high-deductible health plan?

Reasons to consider an HDHP

• Deductibles may be only slightly higher than traditional plans
• Premium savings could help offset higher deductibles
• Only HDHP enrollment lets you contribute to a Health Savings Account
• Your employer may offer cash incentives to choose an HDHP

Myth: “I spend too much at the doctor to choose a high-deductible health plan.”

Among the biggest myths in healthcare is that high-deductible health plans (HDHP) are not great for families that spend a lot of money each year on doctor visits and medications. Most see the higher deductible and believe it will simply cost too much. But there are several other factors to consider as well.

As you decide between health plans, be sure to calculate your true costs and long-term healthcare spending. Below are four factors for consideration.

Deductibles

By definition, HDHPs carry higher deductibles than traditional health plans. So, HDHPs require you to pay more out of pocket before your insurance kicks in.

But how much more? It could be less than you think. Review your plan options carefully. You may find only a marginal difference in deductibles.

In addition, HDHPs also may cover 100% of your preventive care. So, you won’t pay anything for your routine annual physical and other required preventative care.

Premiums

Compared to HDHPs, traditional health plans tend to have much higher premiums, which means more money out of each paycheck. Note that your premiums likely don’t count toward your deductible. So, your premiums are gone whether you use the insurance or not.

Do the math. You may find that the annual premium savings of an HDHP offsets the comparatively higher deductible. At minimum, more take-home pay can potentially make it easier to cover that higher deductible.

HSA eligibility

When choosing a health plan, some only consider their healthcare spending in the next 12 months. But how will you pay for healthcare expenses when you’re 70 or 80—or even five years from now?

If you plan to use your 401(k) to pay for healthcare expenses in retirement, you’ll also need to plan for the income taxes on the distributions.

By contrast, with an HSA you’ll never pay taxes on money used for qualified medical expenses. Not next year, not in ten years, not in fifty years. So, if you spend a lot on healthcare, you can save a lot more using tax-free money.¹

The best part? HSA funds never expire. They stay in your account even if you change employers, health plans, or retire.

But there’s a catch. HSA eligibility requires enrollment in an HDHP. Traditional health plans are not HSA eligible.

As you weigh the costs and benefits of an HDHP, ask yourself: What is it worth to be able to grow tax-free investment earnings and spend money tax-free on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses?²

If you add up the potential tax-free earnings and tax-savings over your lifetime, the savings may dwarf the marginal extra deductible cost each year.

Choose HSA and create long-term health savings. Then, you can use that money tax-free to pay for thousands qualified medical expenses.

See everything you can buy at the HSA Store.³

Employer contributions

In many cases, employers may offer a contribution to your HSA for choosing an HSA or completing other qualified activities. Employers usually deposit that contribution into your HSA on the first day of the new plan year. Some even offer an HSA contribution match. But keep in mind that employer contributions count toward your total HSA contribution limits.

In total, employer contributions could put thousands of extra dollars into your account each year.

At first, traditional health plans might appear marginally cheaper. But once you consider the HDHP employer contribution, the case for an HDHP becomes much stronger.

Don’t leave free money on the table.

Have questions? Visit our Help Center.

Ready to shop? Visit the HSA Store.³