HSA's for everyone!
Have you ever looked at the premium amount you pay for your healthcare, and thought, "I would be RICH if I had all of this money?! My healthcare services don't add up to nearly this amount at all!!"
You would be wise to join a high-deductible healthcare plan; that would be money in the bank for you! I pay a small premium. I have the difference of my deductible (for the year,) divided by my pay periods, and it is deposited in my health savings account. It is pre-taxed. Once my account balance reaches 1000.00, anything above that, I can roll into an IRA, if I would so choose. The money is always mine, even if I leave my current employer, and I don't loose it at the end of the year.
The premium is paid towards the contracted rates of providers, and their lower rates. Furthermore, no co-pay ... I receive that Explanation of Benefits from healthcare, "What we pay," "What you pay," ... and I pay the whole dollar amount of what my healthcare company would have paid, which is a HUGE discount that direct retail, or consumer cost.
If I should reach my deductible for the year, my healthcare company pays 100% of the difference, including Rx. However, being average, you are not likely to reach that deductible because the rates are too reasonable, and my husband and I have three children.
Speaking of the children; preventative, school physicals, immunizations ... and the like are covered 100%!
Like Medicare plans, I think states should be involved with contributing to a state-wide healthcare policy, subsidize it (rather than the money just spent on medical cards, and indigent) ... This would increase opportunities, and level the playing field; so those of us who do work feel like we are also getting positive benefits from our tax dollars, too.
I feel our Medicaid policies need to be contributed to, just as private consumers, and a certain, flat rate amount be provide to each family to spend. I think this plan would drastically reduce healthcare costs. It would prevent emergency room visits for fevers or colds that should have been dealt with during daylight hours at regular doctor’s visits.
Anyone who has been in a children's emergency room, especially late night, knows there are too many folks there that are NOT life and death. Isn't that what an emergency room is for? If not, you can schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Am I some staunch republican with no heart? Nope, in fact I became a single mother with my oldest son, while I was attending college, thankfully, we had the use of the medical card, and government assistance with tuition ... I know the value of the system, but I also saw the fraud, waste and abuse of it, too.
The high-deductible healthcare policy is THE healthcare plan of the future, and would make it affordable for all American’s to be seen. Would it hurt healthcare, NO! Everyone would have an opportunity for care, and physicians would be more in demand than ever. It would be a win/win across the board.
Lastly, “Am I being paid by Humana to say this?”
The answer is, “No, I am paid a wage for doing my job; 7 AM – 3:30 PM, and this is my own contribution and idea for the whole because I really DO care about everyone, and all of our futures. This is really just me, being one human caring for another … please consider this opportunity, this is a valid option for a great healthcare system.
When I first opted for this high-deductible plan, I have to tell you, honestly, I was really frightened, but I am SO grateful, and have never felt so much peace about healthcare, as I do now.
