What is a Health Savings Account (“HSA”)?

A Health Savings Account is an alternative to traditional health insurance; it is a savings product that offers a alternative way for consumers to pay for their health care. HSAs enable you to pay for current health expenses and save for future qualified medical and retiree health expenses on a tax-free basis.

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You must be covered by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to be able to take advantage of HSAs. An HDHP generally costs less than what traditional health care coverage costs, so the money that you save on insurance can therefore be put into the Health Savings Account.

Many Ohio insurance companies offer HSAs.  Anthem and UnitedHealthCare may be the best options while Medical Mutual and Aetna are also companies to consider.

What Is a “High Deductible Health Plan” (HDHP)?
You must have an HDHP if you want to open an HSA. Sometimes referred to as a “catastrophic” health insurance plan, an HDHP is an inexpensive health insurance plan that generally doesn’t pay for the first several thousand dollars of health care expenses  (i.e., your “deductible”) but will generally cover you after that .  Of course, your HSA is available to help  pay for the expenses your plan does not cover. A wide range of deductibles is available…generally between $1500 and $10,000. 

How can I get a Health Savings Account?

Ohio residents can visit http://www.ohioquotes.com for an instant free quote. Out-of-state residents can visit http://www.majormedicalhealth.com. These are two of the most comprehensive health insurance websites available to the public. And yes…I am a bit biased!

How much does an HSA cost?
An HSA is not something you purchase; it’s a savings account into which you can deposit money on a tax-preferred basis.  The only product you purchase with an HSA is a High Deductible Health Plan, an inexpensive plan that will cover you should your medical expenses exceed the funds you have in your HSA. The two websites listed in the prior paragraph will provide you with immediate rates.

In my 29 years as a health insurance broker, I have viewed, and subsequently recommended many health insurance plans. Each situation is different and, obviously, affordability issues play a big part in the decision-making process.

However, there are many available health insurance plans that are quite affordable, compared to other options. For this example, I am basing the rates on a healthy nonsmoking 35-year old male living in the Columbus area. Premiums provided are monthly…

$42  Aetna Preventive and Hospital Care 3000 ($3000 Ded.) 

$47  Anthem Blue Access Value ($5000 Ded.)

$52  Anthem Luminos HSA ($5000 Ded.)

$55  Anthem Blue Access Value ($3000 Ded.)

$61  Aetna Preventitive and Hospital Care 1200 ($1200 Ded.)

$63  Anthem Blue Access Value ($2000 Ded.)

$65  Aetna PPO 5000 ($5000 Ded.)

$77 Medical Mutual Standard 2500 ($2500 Ded.)

$93 Anthem Blue Access Plan 2 ($2500 Ded.)

All of these policies offer some level of office visit coverage without having to meet a deducible. Naturally, pre-existing conditions may increase the rate.

To instantly view your current Ohio health insurance rates, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.  

If you live in Ohio, there are hundreds of websites that will give you a health insurance quote. And most will include the major companies in their searches, such as Anthem Blue Cross, UnitedHealthCare, Humana, Medical Mutual and Aetna. We represent the major companies and strive to provide you with accurate Ohio health insurance quotes. And since we”re located in Ohio, we”re familiar with what carriers will offer the most affordable coverage in specific areas of the state.

Many other websites are strictly designed to sell your information to other companies and brokers across the country. So instead of getting an instant quote, you get dozens of unwanted emails and phone calls. We will never do that.

So…be careful, and here are a few tips:

• Always deal with a local Ohio broker – out-of-state agents may not know the details of Ohio plans and could very well recommend the wrong plan. Also, they may not be aware of recent changes in Ohio rates or underwriting.
• Do NOT give anyone your billing information over the phone until you have had a chance to review the plan on your own. If you can”t see the plan in writing, then stay away from the offer.
• Do not feel pressured. If any agent is making you feel uncomfortable or asks you for information you would rather not divulge, then seek the help of someone else.
• Ask how many years the Ohio broker has in been in the business. If the number is less than 10, move on.
• Don”t buy directly from the company. You”ll get the exact same rate from a broker, but without the bias.

For your free Ohio health insurance quote, please click on the “Get Instant Quote” button at the top of the page.