[MonkeyMama]

Yeah, we switched this year.

Funny enough, I was pretty anti-HDHP in recent years. We are a family of 4 and though we are healthy, it doesn't take much to run up a deductible to the max with 4 people, and small kids, etc.

But, like you, I noticed the HDHPs getting sweeter though, whereas our regular premiums have been completely unaffordable for a LONG while. This was the first year we felt comfortable making the jump. Of course, I went into it assuming we'd hit our deductible for the year. The year is young, but with an ambulance ride, emergency visit (not billed for either yet though was months ago) and dh just got a huge bill for a hearing test. Yeah, we'll probably pay the entire deductible. BUT it was cheaper than our insurance premiums last year (the premiums + deductible were cheaper). So I am rather pleased.

I find they are evolving to reward people who have cash reserves to pay for services, which sounds good to me. We have just been setting aside the saved insurance premiums to pay the deductible. IT has been rather advantageous that they are slower than molasses in billing. My son was rushed to emergency in an ambulance the first week of Feb. and I have yet to see a bill. More time to save up the cash.

OF course totally depends on the plan, they are all so different.