Traditional insurance vs HSA + HDHP

Have a HSA paired with a High Deductible plan and like it. It requires a little more management than traditional HMO, also, the high deductible will bite you hard if anything goes wrong.

I do like being able to invest the HSA once you get to a certain amount.

(Not to mention they don't audit the HSA accounts so liberal purchases are not exactly frowned upon.)

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Not to mention they don't audit the HSA accounts so liberal purchases are not exactly frowned upon

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I thought you had to keep receipts of all 'purchases' to show it was a qualifying medical expense?

Spin off post, for any OT'rs familiar with the individual market.

Is 1/31 the last day to sign up for coverage anywhere or only if purchasing through the Obamacare networks in each state? (Can I buy directly from BCBS on 2/1 for example)

Anybody got a good recommendation for TX in terms of company or plan?

Now that Trump canceled the tax penalty, are there insurance companies that offer old style plans (do not qualify for Obamacare status but provide similar benefits to pre-Obamacare plans?

Thanks for any input.

Also, be careful when routine diagnostic tests are ordered. Those can drain that HSA quick fast and in a hurry.

You can usually order the tests yourself online for much cheaper than if you involve the doctors office.

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(Not to mention they don't audit the HSA accounts so liberal purchases are not exactly frowned upon.)

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I have a HDHP and HSA. Has worked out well for my wife and I. We have a lot in the HSA now and I think are going to be in good shape for expenses for a few years out of pocket.

But, I'm not sure about the above. I don't think our HSA debit card works for anything but medical coded items, and I can't even buy asprin OTC with it. I guess I've never tried to purchase something outside of qualified medical purchases.

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But, I'm not sure about the above. I don't think our HSA debit card works for anything but medical coded items, and I can't even buy asprin OTC with it. I guess I've never tried to purchase something outside of qualified medical purchases.

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I've never used it anywhere but the doctor and pharmacy. I do know people who have made very questionable purchases not even at a pharmacy.

One was a blender at bed bath beyond because the went to a liquid diet.

I'm too paranoid for that. But yeah, our HSA administrator said they don't even really have someone to audit them.

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I did the HSA last year bc I felt we were wasting a lot of money on traditional. Bit me in the arse pretty good. Had one episode with my lil boy that ate up everything and ended up paying a lot more than I had planned out of pocket. Couldn't wait for last year to be over. Back to the traditional now.

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Way to make a wrong statement to blanket cover a subject. How
Much did it cost? You realize ppo's and hmo's have out of pocket costs also right?

Unless you have routine issues like diabetes or regularly hurt yourself, than HDHP is great. One or two years does not make a plan. A broken bone can also be cheaper with a PPO but that's a rare issue.

My wife has given birth twice with HDHP, I did the math both years over the PPO on premium plus cost of maximum out of pocket. The first year it was like $9500 hdpa to $12000 PPO and the second time $10,300 to $13,400 for PPO. So major issues that require hospital stays a HDHP is often better and it's not close.

Wellness visits for everyone including kids are covered 100% by all plans. My kids both under 4 probably go to the doctor 3 times a year combined for being 'sick' those all cost me around $200-250 with my HDHP. The savings in premiums are more than that.