Any health insurance experts?

[AAlmeter]

I need to decide between a PPO and an HSA and I'm looking for some advice. Any takers?

[s15driftking]

HSA sucks, i have it, you cant even by hygeinical products with it....

[Da Klugs]

Originally Posted by AAlmeter

I need to decide between a PPO and an HSA and I'm looking for some advice. Any takers?

Not an expert but have just done a deep dive on the comparison. Big determinate is the interplay of how much the company is chipping into your savings account/the deductible/your anticipated usage. The cookie is that this unused money. earns interest, rolls over and ultimately can be transferred. Side benefits are more is covered under the pre tax account but it may not actually count to wards your deductible. Remember that these plans are designed to reduce/mitigate increases in insurance premiums for employers.

Stereotype.. young single, healthy males = attractive option.

IF you want more you know where to find me.

[Hyperbolik]

PPO is the type of policy while HSA is health savings account. If you want to do a comparison between two types of policies, you would do a comparison between a PPO and HMO.

I have an HSA for my PPO though work. I hardly use my health insurance, so the HSA is good. The money that my employers put towards my HSA is builds every year, so if I ever need to use my insurance, the deductable will be covered by what my company has put into my HSA.

I need to know more about the policies to give you a better idea of which one is the better policy for you. You should see a broker if it is individual insurance or see your HR rep if it is a policy though work.

[AAlmeter]

Thanks for the input guys

My choices are a PPO or HSA (with the HDPE)/

Healthy 25 yo dude....but I do anticipate that I will be having knee surgery within a year. I also have had back surgery in the past...so that is always looming.

No contributions from my employer, and I likely will bounce around between employers for the next 2-3 years.

Based on the info I've found and my circumstances, its looking like an HSA with HDHP is the way to go.

[Big Bluto]

Until recently, I haven't had any problems with health insurance (PPOs). One word of advice, stay away from United Healthcare...I am still trying survive the nightmare of bills after being hospitalized. Hope you have better luck than me.

[Hyperbolik]

I work for a health insurance company in California. Wish I could help, but I've never heard of a HDPE before. The industry is different from state to state. I wish I could be helpful with your inquiry. Good luck with your research.

[AAlmeter]

Originally Posted by Hyperbolik

I work for a health insurance company in California. Wish I could help, but I've never heard of a HDPE before. The industry is different from state to state. I wish I could be helpful with your inquiry. Good luck with your research.

Well, that's no surprise, since HDPE is a type of pipe often used for stormwater...and has nothing to do with insurance. I'm getting my acronyms mixed up. Should have read HDHP, high deductable health plan.

[bishainc]

Since you said that you have major hospital bills coming up, you probably should choose the plan that has the least out-of-pocket cost when you get to the hospital. For example, mine costs $50 for every emergency room visit and $100 if I get hospitalized but then it covers 100%. So the most I'm out is $100 co-pay at the hospital.

Do the math, if you end up paying $100 extra in coverage each month to get the better plan, is it worth it in savings? Maybe a cheaper plan covers 80% after deductible so is the 20% worth the $100 you're paying? For major surgery I would assume so but you never know. Also, you can change elections each year so you're only locked in one year at a time.

Btw, since they have insurance for dogs and cats now (at least mine, MetLife), ask if they insure cigars too .