eesh, you guys are gonna make me change sides before this is all over!

in no way do I expect a 30 something computer jockey from middle America to "negotiate" the cost of his physicals, blood tests, ambulance rides or any other procedure you care to name. although that may be a stated (loudly or not) goal of the HSA, it has nothing to do with why I use one.

as I outlined above, I'm still paying for, with my own money, essentially the same things I always have when you consider the deductibles and co-pays up to the OOP max each year. the HSA permits me to do it with untaxed money and in years when I don't use much of it, I keep some of the money that would have disappeared on premiums with the old plan. most of the gap in the deductible is made up by the money placed into the account by my employer.

again, my opinions are based on the choices I have today, not about what I think would work best, and for my needs, the HSA is the smarter choice.

but this concept of me at an auction stand with a bunch of doctors under-bidding one another for the right to stick their finger up my butt is just silly. it's funny to think about though!

no, costs are just as outrageous as they were on my regular health plan and I'm afraid I won't be doing anything to help change them, the doctor says "shut up, sit down, take your clothes off," and I do it.