Anyone have experience with a "high deductible" health insurance plan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 5500 deductible plan...but my PC visits are 35 bucks, and 10$ for generics. I don't go to the doctor often so it works out.

So what counts to your deductible? Typically with a HDHP, office visits and Rx count to the deductible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 5500 deductible plan...but my PC visits are 35 bucks, and 10$ for generics. I don't go to the doctor often so it works out.

So what counts to your deductible? Typically with a HDHP, office visits and Rx count to the deductible.

Specialists count towards the deductible as do non-generic drugs which they only cover a percentage of until the deductible is met. As long as I stick with my PC and generics I only pay the copay.

[Anonymous]

Yes, we have an HSA with a $10,000 a year deductible. We have only hit the max twice.

HHI of $680,000.

[Anonymous]

OP here, so I just attending a meeting at my work to discuss the changes to the health insurance.

The deductible for a family plan is $4,000. After I meet that out of pocket, we start getting prescription drug coverage and 90/10 insurance coverage.

The bi-monthly deductions from my paycheck will also be increasing, NOT getting lower, so I won't be able to put extra money away in a flex account. I currently pay $630/mo for health and dental. They didn't let us know the amount it is going up yet though.

This truly sucks.

The only thing I can think of is I'll have to get a credit card to pay for medical care, as I barely have any money left over monthly to shell out, and I will need to be able to pay for emergencies.

I really fear going into debt with this new stupid plan. I've always tried hard to live within my means and not carry any debt (which we don't have other than our mortgage). One ER visit with one of my kids will likely wipe us out.

Vent over.

[Anonymous]

I pay $490 for a no deductible plan for myself and DD under ACA. For me it's worth it because I have expensive asthma meds. Check into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so I just attending a meeting at my work to discuss the changes to the health insurance.

The deductible for a family plan is $4,000. After I meet that out of pocket, we start getting prescription drug coverage and 90/10 insurance coverage.

The bi-monthly deductions from my paycheck will also be increasing, NOT getting lower, so I won't be able to put extra money away in a flex account. I currently pay $630/mo for health and dental. They didn't let us know the amount it is going up yet though.

This truly sucks.

The only thing I can think of is I'll have to get a credit card to pay for medical care, as I barely have any money left over monthly to shell out, and I will need to be able to pay for emergencies.

I really fear going into debt with this new stupid plan. I've always tried hard to live within my means and not carry any debt (which we don't have other than our mortgage). One ER visit with one of my kids will likely wipe us out.

Vent over.

OP, I have private insurance, ie, bought personally and not through any company, high deductible plan. Family of 4. Premium used to be about $730, but I just got a notice stating that they are raising it next year to $810 or something. PPO in network individual deductible: $4,500; family 9000. Generic rx $10.

We make way too much to get any tax breaks through ACA. But, if you are single income with dependents, you might be eligible.

I really think you should check out the health care exchange.

[Anonymous]

higher deductible means lower premium

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so I just attending a meeting at my work to discuss the changes to the health insurance.

The deductible for a family plan is $4,000. After I meet that out of pocket, we start getting prescription drug coverage and 90/10 insurance coverage.

The bi-monthly deductions from my paycheck will also be increasing, NOT getting lower, so I won't be able to put extra money away in a flex account. I currently pay $630/mo for health and dental. They didn't let us know the amount it is going up yet though.

This truly sucks.

The only thing I can think of is I'll have to get a credit card to pay for medical care, as I barely have any money left over monthly to shell out, and I will need to be able to pay for emergencies.

I really fear going into debt with this new stupid plan. I've always tried hard to live within my means and not carry any debt (which we don't have other than our mortgage). One ER visit with one of my kids will likely wipe us out.

Vent over.

So, your premium is going up even though you suddenly have a high deductible? And none of that money is going into an HSA? Please check with your HR department to find out if that is true for you. It doesn't sound right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, so I just attending a meeting at my work to discuss the changes to the health insurance.

The deductible for a family plan is $4,000. After I meet that out of pocket, we start getting prescription drug coverage and 90/10 insurance coverage.

The bi-monthly deductions from my paycheck will also be increasing, NOT getting lower, so I won't be able to put extra money away in a flex account. I currently pay $630/mo for health and dental. They didn't let us know the amount it is going up yet though.

This truly sucks.

The only thing I can think of is I'll have to get a credit card to pay for medical care, as I barely have any money left over monthly to shell out, and I will need to be able to pay for emergencies.

I really fear going into debt with this new stupid plan. I've always tried hard to live within my means and not carry any debt (which we don't have other than our mortgage). One ER visit with one of my kids will likely wipe us out.

Vent over.

So, your premium is going up even though you suddenly have a high deductible? And none of that money is going into an HSA? Please check with your HR department to find out if that is true for you. It doesn't sound right.

This happened at my company, too - they switched to a high deductible plan, and my premium went up (in addition to having to satisfy the high deductible) - according to HR, the premiums would have gone up significantly more had we stayed on the prior traditional plan.

All of you saying the high deductible plan is a better deal for you are lucky - my family, which is pretty healthy, exceeds the amount every year. There is always at least one expensive procedure each year (e.g., spouse or I need a colonoscopy, someone breaks a bone, etc) and between the four of us, our prescriptions really add up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, we have an HSA with a $10,000 a year deductible. We have only hit the max twice.

HHI of $680,000.

Well, geez, with that hhi, you can easily afford a high deductible plan like that.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to OP's problem. It is endemic of medical insurance industry. Premiums go up and services go down. Probably because, as a country, we are aging. The real problem is the cost of medical care. I am not sure who is making the money: Doctors are earning less while working more.

The answer to the problems are political. Europe and Canada do not have these problems.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a spouse? You can switch to their insurance during annual enrollment. Otherwise I'd definitely check out an aca plan. I just bought one myself and they sound way better than your company plan. You can compare them
Online - you might have to play around to see which allows you to still see your favorite Drs. Mine weren't in network for a bunch of the plans.

[Anonymous]

And don't forget to think about this when you vote!!

[Anonymous]

We have private insurance and use a high deductible plan. We ran the numbers of that our total out of pocket would be if we hit the max and compared that to our actual medical costs. The HD plan works for us and is less than some of what I see on here. If not using your company's plan (which sounds bad) and getting private insurance is an option, look into it.

[Anonymous]

I agree that you should check out the exchange. Also, be sure to ask your HR department if they give you any money for waiving coverage through them. My old company did this - it saved them $ for me not to be on their insurance, so it was a double win - I had a cheaper plan through DH's work, and my firm "paid" us to be on the cheaper plan.