<p>We are on our 3rd year with a high deductible plan with HSA. Employer also puts in $1000 in the HSA, and we contribute our own money . We are way ahead even without the employer contribution, as before we paid $4000-$5000 per year for very little use.
My suggestion to solve the health care crisis is to put everyone on a high deductible plan with a $5000 deductible, and then prorate the deductible based on need. I would much rather have the government kick in $$ to prorate a deductible than waste it like they do now. Then everyone could have health insurance and would have reason to watch expenses.</p>
<p>Dumb question, but it is late…If we get an HSA are we required to put money into the account or are we allowed X dollars per year tax free?</p>
<p>H’s firm is moving to an HSA to keep the cost down. Doesn’t seem like it to me as it will be $7700 annually for H and $800 for 2 kids plus me. (that is $17,300 per year - ouch) 70% after $3000 indiv/$10,000 family is met. This is a 65% increase over last year for less coverage.</p>
<p>What bothers me is that the price would be about the same if we bought it off the street from Blue Cross for 4 of us, but for some reason he is required to pay separate.</p>
<p>You don’t have to put any money in an HSA account if you don’t want to. Just because it’s HSA compatible doesn’t mean you have to set up an HSA account for it. I get 400 dollars from my employer but I don’t contribute a cent towards it. You might want to look around to see if it would be cheaper to get it not through the employer… or is it a company where you are required to have their insurance? Are you guys relatively healthy? You may be able to find an non employer sponsored plan for less money. I’ve talked to a lot of people who said the blues jumped premiums drastically this year.</p>