@skeeterhawk, you need high deductible insurance. With no insurance, you pay list price - which is grossly inflated since it is the only bargaining tool providers have versus insurance companies. With high deductible, you pay the negotiated price. Plus, your pay your medical expenses through an HSA account, which is an adjustment to income - i.e. tax free both state and federal. The cost of high deductible insurance plus your maximum deduction (you are very sick) is the same as an HMO. But, if you manage to stay healthy, you keep the money in your HSA account. (It is available without a penalty at retirement.)
If you are paying many inflated list prices for doctors, a high deductible policy could pay for itself just on the negotiated savings alone. Look into it.
@skeeterhawk, you need high deductible insurance. With no insurance, you pay list price - which is grossly inflated since it is the only bargaining tool providers have versus insurance companies. With high deductible, you pay the negotiated price. Plus, your pay your medical expenses through an HSA account, which is an adjustment to income - i.e. tax free both state and federal. The cost of high deductible insurance plus your maximum deduction (you are very sick) is the same as an HMO. But, if you manage to stay healthy, you keep the money in your HSA account. (It is available without a penalty at retirement.)
If you are paying many inflated list prices for doctors, a high deductible policy could pay for itself just on the negotiated savings alone. Look into it.