Consumer Directed Health Plan (CDHP) / HSA OR Tricare Reserve Select cost

I'm desperately ignorant when it comes to health insurance. I've known nothing other than Tricare every year of my adult life with the exception of a single year, which was a terrible decision that cost me 5-figures. I don't want to make that mistake again.

I'm currently in the military as a reservist, and we get a sweetheart deal, where a family plan costs $240/m (Tricare Reserve Select).

A fellow reservist whom I know is convinced it makes more financial sense to utilize our civilian employer's Consumer Directed Health Plan (CDHP) / Health Savings Account (HSA).

I know nothing about CDHPs. The plan information is explained as having a 3k deductible, out-of-pocked max of 9k. In-network is split, with the plan paying 80% of virtually everything and me paying 20%.

From what I gather, there is 0 I pay per month to the insurance company, I would just divert that to my HSA account instead. As a replacement, I could put the equivalent of 2,880 in my HSA. I'm interested in this option only for the tax-benefits.

We're generally fairly healthy. My wife has to take medicines due to a thyroid condition, she takes other meds for mental health, and speaks to a therapist occasionally over the phone, and also takes an appetite suppressant, and prescription toothpaste as well as topical cream for psoriasis, and wears eyeglasses. My daughter requires eyeglasses. My son has psoriasis as well, but so far no needed medicine. I am extremely healthy and have no issues.

Someone more competent than me, please provide me with some good advice.

submitted by /u/DarkenL1ght
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