Do HSA contributions count as an expense when calculating yearly expenses?

[ron244]

DW and I are about 7 weeks from early retirement. If we opt for an HSA , do we include the $5000.00 we plan to contribute each year? According to eheathinsurance, our yearly premium would be approx. $2000.00 for a $5200.00 deductible plan. I am allowing another $2000.00/year for health costs. Isn't the HSA contribution just a transfer of money from a taxable account to a tax advantage savings account. Do I use $4000.00 as our annual health care expenses or do I use $9200.00?

Thanks, ronc.