ziggy29
Moderator Emeritus
True. But this is also why HSA-eligible HDHP plans can (and often do) pay for regular preventative checkups 100% with no deductible. In fact, this exception was explicity written into the law authorizing HSAs, as I remember it, so regular annual exams were always covered with nothing out of pocket. Even Congress is occasionally smart enough to realize that you don't want to discourage preventative care.That's a benevolent interpretation. The flip side is that by increasing out-of-pocket liability for subscribers, there may be decreased utilization overall, not all of which is cosmetic or frivolous care.
Our employer doesn't have a pure HSA yet. They do have high-deductible plans with an HCA, which is a partial use-it-or-lose-it account and doesn;t follow you like an HSA if you terminate). Basically, we have a $1500 individual/$3000 family deductible, and the company funds up to $2000 a year into the HCA to cover what would otherwise be out-of-pocket costs. The account can never contain more than $3000 (the total family deductible). Our plan also pays for regular annual exams 100% regardless of whether the deductible has been met.
It's not an MSA, either, where you have to file claims to get reimbursed. It's all handled by BCBS -- they have the money in the HCA, and when a claim comes in, before the deductible is met they pay the provider from the balance of the HCA. So it's not as good as an HSA, but far, far better than an MSA.
I like the concept but I wish it would be converted into a true HSA. I'd like to see the $3000 cap eliminated, I'd like the account to come with me if I leave my job and I'd like to be able to pay the prescription co-pays with it. But all in all, it's a step in the right direction. But the main thing is that people need to be educated in being good health care consumers. They were shielded from pricing for so long that old habits die hard.