The “I want to retire soon” thread (2 Viewers)

[matttyl]

Per the googles: Has to be HSA compatible, I guess there is more to it than the high deductible.

Why a non-HSA-compatible plan doesn't work
HSA eligibility rules: The key requirement is that the plan must be an "HSA-eligible" or "HSA-qualified" HDHP. This isn't just about the deductible; it's a specific set of rules.
Preventive care and copays: A common reason a plan is not HSA-eligible is that it covers certain services, like prescriptions or doctor's visits, with a copay before the deductible is met.
"First-dollar" coverage: Plans that provide "first-dollar" coverage for most services before you meet the deductible are disqualified from being HSA-eligible.

Ugh

Correct, but again if you're looking at a copper plan they are all, by law, HSA plans. Not sure how the mechanics on those work, though. Silver and Gold don't have to be.

I was looking at a gold plan with a 4000 deductible which is close to what were used to. None of the silver or gold plans are HSA compatible in my market. Now I have to weigh going to bronze with 12000 deductible that gets me 8750 in HSA. Good news is a bronze plan is going to cost a lot less than I was planning.

Here’s what I think I know - on exchange Anthem will have 5 HSA eligible plans in Va next year. All bronze tier. Deductibles range from 5500-8700. Of course all of them are HMO network plans (I think you and I have talked about that before). Off exchange, where there would be no subsides and you’d be paying “full price” there will be more options, including what’s effectively a PPO network plan, but won’t be cheap. Premium increases (before age increases) are looking to be 16-18%.

Are those deductible amounts you quoted for a single person? Because for two of us the lowest Anthem bronze deductible I see on the marketplace is $11,000.

Yes, $5,500 per person, for a total of up to $11k for a family. Keep in mind that the deductible is what’s called “embedded” (verifying this, but in the past it had been), meaning that no individual needs to come
out of pocket over 5,500 to meet their individual deductible. And the family unit, no matter how big, has a total deductible of 11,000 (so not 5,500 x 4 for a family of 4).

 

[Peggy]

Per the googles: Has to be HSA compatible, I guess there is more to it than the high deductible.

Why a non-HSA-compatible plan doesn't work
HSA eligibility rules: The key requirement is that the plan must be an "HSA-eligible" or "HSA-qualified" HDHP. This isn't just about the deductible; it's a specific set of rules.
Preventive care and copays: A common reason a plan is not HSA-eligible is that it covers certain services, like prescriptions or doctor's visits, with a copay before the deductible is met.
"First-dollar" coverage: Plans that provide "first-dollar" coverage for most services before you meet the deductible are disqualified from being HSA-eligible.

Ugh

Correct, but again if you're looking at a copper plan they are all, by law, HSA plans. Not sure how the mechanics on those work, though. Silver and Gold don't have to be.

I was looking at a gold plan with a 4000 deductible which is close to what were used to. None of the silver or gold plans are HSA compatible in my market. Now I have to weigh going to bronze with 12000 deductible that gets me 8750 in HSA. Good news is a bronze plan is going to cost a lot less than I was planning.

Here’s what I think I know - on exchange Anthem will have 5 HSA eligible plans in Va next year. All bronze tier. Deductibles range from 5500-8700. Of course all of them are HMO network plans (I think you and I have talked about that before). Off exchange, where there would be no subsides and you’d be paying “full price” there will be more options, including what’s effectively a PPO network plan, but won’t be cheap. Premium increases (before age increases) are looking to be 16-18%.

Are those deductible amounts you quoted for a single person? Because for two of us the lowest Anthem bronze deductible I see on the marketplace is $11,000.

Yes, $5,500 per person, for a total of up to $11k for a family. Keep in mind that the deductible is what’s called “embedded” (verifying this, but in the past it had been), meaning that no individual needs to come
out of pocket over 5,500 to meet their individual deductible. And the family unit, no matter how big, has a total deductible of 11,000 (so not 5,500 x 4 for a family of 4).

Awesome! The "embedded" part is great for our situation and risk for the years leading up to Medicare. Great to know. I have an appointment with the certified ACA lady at our doctors office on Nov 5th after the marketplace opens.

We got all our healthcare that we know of caught up knowing we're going off Cobra. (Wife's hip replacement, all needed dental work, check ups etc.) She does have a questionable shoulder so knowing if that happens it's a 5K+ bill and not a 11K+ bill makes my choice for a bronze level a lot easier!