kodokan

The OP already said that they're young and in good health, so it's a strong consideration for them. Why pay $800+ a month for a good, comprehensive plan they'll almost certainly not need and have that money be gone for ever, when they can pay a few hundred instead, max out a HSA ($6,450 for a family for 2013), and build up a nice little nest egg for themselves for the future? Do that for 10 years or so, and even if they then switch onto a more traditional plan, get employer cover, etc, with compounding they'll easily have over $100k come retirement.

Too early to say; they've only really been mainstream for a few years. We're certainly treating ours as a 401(k) by another name, and using it to funnel tax-free money up the lifetime pipeline to when we're older, and will either need it for health-related expenses or general living.

Pulaski

While often true, I don't understand why there is a blanket presumption that everyone get sick and needs ongoing medical attention after they pass, say, 50. My father probably went to the doctor no more than five times in the twenty five years prior to his retirement (at 70), and in fact I only recall him going once. My mother is about the same, and at 78 years old is not on any long term medication. I aspire to achieve the same degree of interaction, and most (not all) of my contact with the US medical profession has been at best marginally satisfying.

Giantaxe

I don't think there's a blanket presumption... it's merely that the statistical odds of incurring medical bills increases exponentially after age 50. That is especially scary in a country where tests for things like MRIs are so much higher than other countries. If the costs were lower, I would be more of a fan of HSAs in general.

Bob

He gets laid off first as part of cost cutting measures.

kodokan

HSAs can be used for medical expenses in other countries - a spot of medical tourism if necessary, perhaps?

Giantaxe

Lots of Americans go to Mexico for their dental treatment...

Giantaxe

This is one of the reasons ageism is so prevalent in the US. A startup I used to work at refused to interview anyone over 50 for this precise reason.

kodokan

Hubby's company puts up to $1500 (depending on single, family, etc) into employees' HSAs, in exchange all adults on the associated health insurance policy getting an annual screening for BMI, blood glucose, etc, and submitting their results on the company intranet. Wonder what they're using THAT data for in their corporate decision-making processes..?

(We fall in healthy ranges for all these things, so happily comply and take the free money.)

Sally Redux

That's me. I've seldom visited a doctor throughout my life, at 51 have suddenly needed a mass of stuff.

Caruthers

By way of data input, should anyone need it. My dentist trip today consisted of 2 replacement fillings and a cleaning.

I am fully insured. It cost me 120 USD. I was shown the portion the insurance picked up was 399 USD. So all in the work was 519 USD. So that's 346 GBP.

I used a new dentist today to get more of my PPO plan as my previous one was not PPO.

Caruthers

That is so scarey!

Presumably they can quickly terminate you before you become a negative line item to the corporate Ayran super race workplace and damage the overall policy liability.

kodokan

It doesn't sound like you are 'fully insured'..? Our dental insurance, a Cigna one through hubby's company costing around $35 a month for a family of four, does all basic things like check ups, x-rays, cleanings, and fillings for free. Even for a crown, my contribution was only $200 (20%, the insurance pays the rest).

Caruthers

Yes fully insured, Delta. I just went to a different one today because my old one of ten years was out of plan and I just grew tired of going there.

Maybe its just California for the costs. I grow so weary of the all the medical hurdles here....

The dentist was extremely pretty though. So I don't mind.

kodokan

Dental treatment is at least one of those things where you don't feel as outraged paying for it in the US, given it's nigh on impossible now to get an NHS dentist in the UK anyway!

christmasoompa

In some areas, certainly not where I am. Signs outside lots of dentists in Berkshire/Hampshire/Surrey advertising for new NHS patients, and we've had our pick of them the last 2 times we've moved.