Almost everyone can see the logic of carrying a high-deductible health insurance plan to protect against the major unexpected expenses. Yet a high deductible can make some people a little nervous. Even a short trip to the emergency room to get stitches can cost several hundred dollars. If you break your leg skiing, the cost could quickly run into thousands of dollars.
Fortunately for people with these concerns, inexpensive supplemental accident plans are available which can reduce your deductible to just $100.
Though any type of medical expense can sneak up on you, most chronic illnesses provide clues long before they get serious. If you're overweight, if you have digestive issues, or if you have a difficult time climbing a flight of stairs, you're aware that you have health concerns long before your doctor or insurance company knows. But nothing sneaks up on you faster than an accident.
How Accident Plans Work An accident plan won't pay a penny if you get sick, but if you have an accident and go to the doctor, emergency medical clinic, hospital emergency room, or even if you're admitted to the hospital, they'll cover 100% up to the set limit after a $100 deductible.
Some insurance companies offer these as options with their plans, or you can purchase an accident plan separately. These stand-alone accident plans will pay up to $5,000 or $10,000. And they are very reasonably priced, ranging from $32/month for the $5,000 plan for an individual, to $42 for a $10,000 plan for a family.
How Accident Plans can Work with Your HSA Having an accident plan can be a great way to buffer the risk that comes with a high-deductible health insurance plan. Let's say you have a $5,000 deductible on your HSA plan, and it then pays 100%. In that case, you may want to consider adding a $5,000 accident plan to your coverage. If you were to have an accident that led to an emergency room bill of $800, you would only be responsible for $100.
If you were to have a very major accident that required hospitalization, your accident plan would pay $5,000 after you paid the first $100. This would cover your deductible on your HSA plan, which would then pay 100%. Your exposure would only be $100.
Another money-saving strategy you may want to consider is raising the deductible on your HSA (which will lower your premium), and adding an accident plan.
By Wiley Long - President, HSA for America (http://www.health--savings--accounts.com) - The nation's leading independent health insurance firm specializing in individual and family coverage that works with Health Savings Accounts. Please link to this site when using this article.
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