ABC Widget sponsors a “Qualified” (HSA eligible) High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), paying all but $100 of the monthly premium for single coverage; 50% for dependents.

Their renewal arrived; a rate pass, as in a 0% increase!! (Arguably, I should just end this Tip.)

The current coverage is a $5,000 deductible/100% Plan. Employees - no doubt those with chronic or predictable conditions - have asked for a second ‘richer’ option. One being considered would lower the deductible to $2,000/then 100%. Since Widget’s premium sharing is for the ‘base’ plan only, the ‘buy-up’ cost accrues to the employee.

Example: the Single only’ buy-up’ premium would be $179.87/month; that’s $2,158 to reduce the annual deductible by $3,000. Pretty good deal, unless those claims never materialize. Will the Health Plan send a refund? (If you don’t know the answer, another reason to end this Tip.)

So maybe consider keeping the higher deductible and putting the same amount - or a little more - into the HSA. You know, the account that’s owned by the employee, where unused dollars rollover year to year.

The lesson; some of the time anyway, it may be better NOT to bet against yourself.