4-minute read

Are you one of the many Americans enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)? It’s a common decision: As of 2021, more than 55% of private-sector workers were enrolled in HDHPs.

There’s certainly value in the lower premiums offered by a HDHP, but in return, it comes with higher deductibles. And outside some preventative care, immunizations, screenings and counseling services, you’re responsible for paying out of pocket until you hit your deductible.

It’s not necessary to know every intricate detail of your health plan, but it is important to understand the steps you can take to get the most out of it. Let’s walk through some of the key details of high-deductible health plans and some strategies you can employ to capitalize on tax advantages.

An HDHP is an insurance plan with lower monthly premiums than most healthcare insurance plans, and in return, comes with higher deductibles. It’s one of the trade-offs of the plan, and a majority of HDHPs are eligible for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) as another perk!

An HSA is a pre-tax savings account you can use to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. You typically contribute to your HSA through payroll deductions, and your employer may pitch in as well. You can then use the money in your HSA to cover any out-of-pocket healthcare expenses that come up. There’s a maximum amount you can put in your HSA each year as stated in the IRS guidelines shown below.

Individuals:$3,850

Families: $7,750

Anyone 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.

Individuals: $4,150

Families: $8,300

Anyone 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.

Most HSAs are linked to a debit card that can be used to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. However, there may be times when you don’t need to use the funds in your HSA. In that case, you can rollover your money so it continues to grow for your retirement, and you may have the option to invest it like you would a 401(k) or IRA.*

Paytient works alongside your HDHP* regardless of whether you have an HSA. This flexibility is significant if you don’t have enough funds in your HSA to pay for a medical bill, if you want to keep your HSA intact in order to grow, or if you want to use your HSA** with Paytient.

If your HDHP doesn’t come with an HSA, you can use Paytient*** to pay for healthcare expenses**** over time, without interest. This comes in especially handy to bridge the gap until you hit your deductible.

If you do have an HSA, Paytient gives you the peace of mind of having options in how you pay for care. For starters, you can still use Paytient to pay for care over time and leave your HSA alone to grow.

Or you could use them in tandem.

Let’s say you just opened an HSA account and plan on contributing $20 per month, but before you can accumulate any savings you’re hit with a $100 medical bill. Paytient gives you the power to cover the $100 upfront. Then, you can split that into five payments of $20 and use your HSA to repay the cost over time, without interest.

HDHPs aren’t for everyone. But if you determine that a HDHP is a good fit, the smart move for your health and finances is to pair it with Paytient. Paytient gives you a buffer for healthcare expenses so you can maximize your HDHP.

*This content is for informational purposes only – it should not be treated as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Please consult with your tax or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

**For qualified expenses only.

***Subject to approval.

****The Paytient card works with providers in certain approved merchant categories. The provider self-selects their merchant category, and in some cases, a provider might not be categorized as expected. Not all plans support all spend categories, please check with your plan administrator for information on which categories your plan supports.

The Paytient Visa Credit Card is issued by Commerce Bank, Member FDIC.