HSA vs copay plan: Same deductible?

Hi everyone,

I know this kind of question has been asked before, but I'm entirely lost. I started at a new job about a week ago, and I need to decide between an HSA plan and a traditional copay plan. Some info:

* It will be just me on this plan, no spouse/children or anything.

* I make 58k annually, live in Florida, and am 28 years old.

*Both plans cover 100% of annual preventative care.

Here are the breakdowns of each plan:

HSA plan:

There is no premium for this plan, and I think my employer will match up $34.62 per bi-weekly paycheck. On a different part of the benefits guide, it says my employer will match up to $75 monthly, so I don't know which amount is correct. PCP/Specialist visit is 80% after deductible. I'm assuming 80% covered, but the plan doesn't say. Annual deductible is $3,000. For coinsurance, inpatient/outpatient, urgent care, labs/x-rays/diagnostics, and ER visits: Plan pays 80% after deductible is met. My prescription copays are between $10-$60 after my deductible has been met.

Copay plan:

Premium is $69.23 per bi-weekly paycheck. PCP/Specialist visit is a $35-$50 copay. Annual deductible is $3,000. For coinsurance, inpatient/outpatient, and urgent care: Plan pays 80% after deductible is met. For labs, x-rays, and diagnostics, plan pays 100% after $75 copay ER visits: Plan pays 100% (Says "No deductible for preventative and non-major diagnostic; plan pays 80% after deductible for major diagnostic." Does this mean that the plan pays for preventative/non-major diagnostic automatically but only covers major diagnostic tests after I reach my deductible?). Prescription copays: Between $10-$60, minus specialty which is 20% to $250 per script.

Some more info:

For the first part of this year, I've gone to multiple specialists and my primary quite a bit and have had multiple imaging tests (scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc.). It seems like I've gotten most of the answers I need at this point, so the only upcoming, planned procedure I have will be an endoscopy in August. I don't plan on needing to visit many other doctors for the rest of the year, but I'm always nervous that something will happen (Thanks, anxiety!).

*I don't take many prescription meds. The only one I'm actually using at the moment is tretinoin. Either way, couldn't I just get a coupon through GoodRx?

*The HSA plan doesn't include Telemedicine, and I've been utilizing that for my therapy sessions. The copay plan does offer Telemedicine, but it's $50 per session. If I opt for the HSA plan, could I use money out of that account to pay for my own therapy sessions? And would that count toward my deductible?

*No out-of-pocket max is listed in the benefits guide. I can try to find out that information and add it in later, as I'm sure that makes a difference.

*If I opt for the HSA plan, is there some kind of guide that tells me how much is good to contribute monthly? Or is that solely up to my discretion?

It seems like these two plans have a lot of overlap, but the big thing is that the copay plan pays 100% for labs/x-rays/diagnostics after a $75 copay, whereas the HSA plan will only cover 80% after I meet my deductible. These kinds of tests are usually expensive, so this feels like a big upside of the copay plan. Again, not planning on having any more imaging/diagnostic tests besides my endoscopy in August, but you never know.

Thank you in advance!! Any advice/guidance is seriously appreciated. And sorry for the dumb questions; I have literally no idea what I'm doing lol. I've always automatically gone with the copay plans in the past, but I'm trying to be more conscious about money now.

submitted by /u/gavinsgrin
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