Open Enrollment HSA vs. HDHP with Kidney Disease–help me choose
It's open enrollment and I am conflicted choosing between a traditional HMO plan with employer funded HRA and an HSA with HRA contribution, too. The rates below are for single coverage (my husband insures our children)
HDHP: $3,000 deductible ($300 after employer HRA), with an OOP Max of $6,850 (2,150 after HRA)
HSA: $2,000 deductible ($1,600 after employer HRA), with an OOP Max of $3,000.
I (33F) have always selected the more traditional plan, partly because since I've been at my current job I have had two pregnancies where the timing lined up better to stick with the HMO due to existing deductible accruals. At the end of my first pregnancy I experience elevated protein that was diagnosed about a year PP as a chronic kidney disease. Luckily I am still at the early stages of the disease and don't experience any significant side effects. I just have to take Losartan to reduce proteinurea and watch animal protein/salt intake. A look at my claims history shows that the insurance is billed about $300 for a 3 month supply of the Losartan, and ~$90 for birth control for a 3 month supply. On the traditional plan I pay $2 and $0 copays for these 90 day supplies currently, respectively. With the HSA plan, the medication alone for this coming year would put me at about $1,660 of the $2,000 deductible before actually going to a single doctor.
I also had an emergency back surgery for a herniated disc this past February that made my claim total for 2023 significantly larger than all years prior, and given that I never could have imagined needing it, it's the fear of the unknown (coupled with managed chronic kidney disease) that makes me nervous to take the leap to the HSA. But, on the flip side, if it's a good health year, that is money I can save for myself. If I'm understanding the numbers correctly I think the HDHP makes more sense for my situation, but am starting to second guess myself.
I'd appreciate any guidance or advice anyone out there is willing to share!
Thanks!
submitted by /u/ericainstitches
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