ASA CDHP going up $700 next year for families? Switch back to ppo?

[PBRstreetgang]

Just because you can go out and buy a 50" LED TV with your HSA debit card, does not mean the plan is good.

I can buy a 50" tv with the card? Just so I can watch DRs Oz and Phil?
Sweet!

 

[79%N1]

Oakum...you are wrong about that. They still have rates with UHC, the same ones they charge the PPO. Never once have I 'called all around town' shopping a doctors rate. If you hurt your shoulder, for instance and go to an orthopedic doctor, you are charged the UHC negotiated rate for the visit. I paid about $300 for an MRI, and 100 bucks for the visit. That was $400. And that was all I had for the year. So on the PPO it would have been $20 copay, but my premium would have been over $300 for that month, and the next month and the next month. To come out ahead on the ppo, you need about 3-4 doctors appointments per month.

 

[gator_hater]

79%,

He does't want to listen to reason. So, try not to confuse him, or others for that matter, with the details.

 

[enuffalready]

Oakum...you are wrong about that. They still have rates with UHC, the same ones they charge the PPO. Never once have I 'called all around town' shopping a doctors rate. If you hurt your shoulder, for instance and go to an orthopedic doctor, you are charged the UHC negotiated rate for the visit. I paid about $300 for an MRI, and 100 bucks for the visit. That was $400. And that was all I had for the year. So on the PPO it would have been $20 copay, but my premium would have been over $300 for that month, and the next month and the next month. To come out ahead on the ppo, you need about 3-4 doctors appointments per month.

curious... do you have to go to specific doctors? I have the PPO now, like my dr but am rarely sick.

 

[gator_hater]

Enuff,

If your current dr is a UHC network guy you're good nothing changes. Get out some eob statements (available online if needed) and run a comparison for your own situation. You might be surprised at the $$ the CDHP could save.

 

[gator_hater]

Enuff,

If your current dr is a UHC network guy you're good nothing changes. Get out some eob statements (available online if needed) and run a comparison for your own situation. You might be surprised at the $$ the CDHP could save.

 

[Nevets]

It may make financial sense for many IF you are able to pay the entire deductible out of pocket the day the policy becomes active. Just keep that in mind.

 

[homerjdispatch]

It may make financial sense for many IF you are able to pay the entire deductible out of pocket the day the policy becomes active. Just keep that in mind.

Most hospitals and Dr. Offices will put you on a payment plan if you CANNOT pay all at once... You can pay over time with the money as it goes into your HSA account.

I have been on the HSA for the past two years... We have had a baby, three surgerys, and a lot of Dr. visits.. I did the math and found out we saved over $3000 on the CDHP insurance.

 

[Nevets]

Most hospitals and Dr. Offices will put you on a payment plan if you CANNOT pay all at once... You can pay over time with the money as it goes into your HSA account.

I have been on the HSA for the past two years... We have had a baby, three surgerys, and a lot of Dr. visits.. I did the math and found out we saved over $3000 on the CDHP insurance.

Good point. And just to add, you should be financially able to pay the full deductible EVERY year you're on this policy. Personally, I don't like debt. But everyone is different in their level of risk.

 

[79%N1]

Good point. And just to add, you should be financially able to pay the full deductible EVERY year you're on this policy. Personally, I don't like debt. But everyone is different in their level of risk.

With the difference saved in premiums you keep more than enough money to pay the deductible. The company's $1000 plus the difference between $380 in monthly premiums for the PPO and $107/month on the HSA gives you $4300 in my paycheck (or saved the HSA account if you wish) that I never saw on the PPO premium. And you'll never get a bill for $2600 all at once on the HDHC plan on day one.

 

[79%N1]

curious... do you have to go to specific doctors? I have the PPO now, like my dr but am rarely sick.

If that Doctor was in the UHC network for the PPO, he is in it for the HDHC plan.

 

[Nevets]

With the difference saved in premiums you keep more than enough money to pay the deductible. The company's $1000 plus the difference between $380 in monthly premiums for the PPO and $107/month on the HSA gives you $4300 in my paycheck (or saved the HSA account if you wish) that I never saw on the PPO premium. And you'll never get a bill for $2600 all at once on the HDHC plan on day one.

I didn't know the company was contributing $1000 into your HSA, if that's what you're saying. But you also make a good point about banking the difference in premiums. I would do this up to the out of pocket maximum, at the very least, to begin with and keep replenishing it to that level as time goes on. Of course, you should be able to pay the full deductible starting day one, which the company contribution would help do. Out of curiosity, what is the family deductible and out of pocket maximum

 

[79%N1]

Roughly $2400 and $6000

 

[Nevets]

Roughly $2400 and $6000

So assuming they contribute another $1000 to your HSA next year, it would take 15 months to have $6000 in your HSA IF you contribute the difference in premiums ($273/month) to your HSA. Have they said what their contribution commitments are?

 

[79%N1]

I suppose. I've never been worried about that. If I have a Doctor visit, I either pay with whatever may be in my HSA account, or make up the difference with my bank account, knowing that I save over $250/month in premium payments. My daughter fell and hurt her arm, we went to the doctor. the visit and x rays were about $200. I figured it was still less than I would have paid that month in PPO premiums. Hopefully, nobody falls down or gets sick every month.