Health Savings Account funding!

Special second post for today.

I've been worrying the past few days about funding my health savings account. One of the health insurance options at work is this new relatively new system where you have a high high deductible, and then everything after that is covered 100%.

They pair this high deductible plan with a "health savings account" (HSA) which is similar to a 401(k). Pre-tax payroll contributions, they don't disappear if unused (unlike flex spending plans) and the HSA is portable (if you change employers).

The plan started October 1.

The problem is coming up with the deductible moneys this month. For most folks, the $50 or so contributed each paycheck will probably cover them - a cold in December, X-rays in February, etc. But I've already had the endoscopy this month and my psoriasis medication is roughly $1800 a month. So I hit my $2200 deductible right away.

So the challenge has been coming up with a way to make sure that if I have the full $2200 deducted from the October paychecks, that we'll still have enough left over to pay the mortgage, electricity, etc.

Just got back from meeting with our HR department and they ran a scenario in the computer - and we're OK! I'll even be able to pay the phone bill on time, and we won't have to dip into the savings/emergency fund! Being careful with money last month, and ultra careful this month have already paid off!

That's all - just needed to share...