[quote=enron_by_the_sea] . . . Like it or not – the future of our healthcare is HSA+HDHP and some bargaining with your favorite doctor.
I am in the 5th stage of Anger-Denial-Bargaining-Depression-Acceptance cycle of this issue. Most of the country seems to be in stages 2 and 3.[/quote]
enron, I don’t have an HSA, but have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) which I used to think was “affordable.”
All in all, I DO have a good policy and I would have no problem “bargaining with providers” if I should run into major medical bills.
I, too, think it’s unrealistic to expect your “paternal” employer to pay your health care premiums PLUS those of everyone you can successfully pass thru as a “dependent.” I also think that the days of $10-$15 co-pays and <$5 prescription drugs are dwindling, if not dead. All this does is cause SOME people to visit a provider several times a month and get over-tested for anything and everything when diet, exercise and over-the-counter remedies might be able to cure 75% of their frequent complaints. These "chronic health-care users" run up the premiums for all of us.
