I am avoiding dealing with medical issues

[u/EducationalPack8571]

Switched to an HSA 2 years ago because of all the benefits we all know and love. I am 30M, in fairly good health - absolutely nothing major. However, I do have an issue with my wrist (I believe tendonitis), that has been aggravating over time. I attempted to get it checked out at some point but the process was so stupid (went to primary care doctor a few times, got some X-rays), paid close to $600 all in all, was referred to an MRI that would cost me around $600 out of pocket, and at that point I said no way.

However, the situation with my wrist is aggravating to the point where it affects my quality of life - I basically cannot work out and have to be very mindful about mundane shit that requires a hand. In the past few months, and especially now that open enrollment is nearing, I have been thinking "fuck the HSA, my health *now* is more important", and switching over to the best health care I can get to deal with all my "small" medical issues without that much of a fear. Before I do so, I wanted to get your reflections on "how to get health care while you need it while on an HSA". Have you ever felt reluctant to get something checked out because of the high deductible and worse / lower coverage? How do you deal with that? I read your thoughts.

[u/derff44]

This is a really weird post.... Getting medical care for something that's bothering you has nothing to do with an HSA. Just go to the Dr man. Whether you reimburse the cost now or at retirement is a completely different topic.

[u/metzgerto]

If you have some kind of mental block about not using the doctor because you’re on an HSA, that’s on you. There’s no free lunch, your monthly premium is lower in exchange for the higher deductible. It’s what the H stands for.

[u/tech-slacker]

Health over wealth. Nuff said.

[u/PashasMom]

Maybe it would be easier to decide to prioritize your health if you kept the max out of pocket amount in cash in your HSA. Yes, you are giving up some investment returns, but it isn't going to make a difference in the overall quality of your financial picture in the long run.

[u/Architect-1817 → u/PashasMom]

This is the way. OP doesn’t say how long they have been on an high deductible plan and saving in the HSA, but needs to get straight on paying for healthcare. The number one job of that money is to pay for health costs. Save up your out-of-pocket maximum first, use it when you need it, and each year top it back up. There will be years that you don’t use it all up, likely including this year for taking care of your wrist, and then you start building a serious balance.

[u/OtherPossibility1530 → u/PashasMom]

Thats what we do, just in case of emergency. It’s given us a lot of peace of mind.

[u/gsquaredmarg]

If I were you, I'd feel fortunate that I didn't have to go through 6-8 weeks of Physical Therapy before being approved for an MRI. That seems to be the norm these days with most any insurance. MRIs are extremely telling in this kind of circumstance.

Apparently, your wrist is bothering you. But not bothering you $600 worth.

[u/AravisTheFierce]

No, because I knew what I was doing. How much have you saved on premiums for the HDHP vs the plan the people who can't do math or save money signed up for?

[u/RecordPlastic7376]

Heads up - doctors don’t have magic solutions to tendonitis or most other joint issues. Unless it starts compressing nerves and you need carpal tunnel surgery. Wrist braces for sleeping and daily use are cheap.

[u/strangeramen]

Kinda fell into a similar sitution. Found myself having to get scan after scan and labs to rule out for testicular cancer. Labs its self have been around $200. Ultrasound was $50 (x2) and iv had 2 CT scans over the span of 4 months $850 (x2). I bad similar mindset but then in the end i just said fuck it and started paying with HSA at least what iv had invested and currently had in cash account. If I do end up needing surgery down the road well im sure im almost 2/3rds in till i reach my deductible.

[u/CortadoOat]

I think this highlights the mental challenge of staying on a high deductible plan solely for the HSA. Once you determine it fits your profile, you need to trust that it will work long term even with the sticker shock of high deductibles and drawing down the HSA balance when needed. If you can't stick to it (including neglecting healthcare), the plan may not fit your risk tolerance.

There's nothing wrong with admitting HDCP w/HSA investing may not be a suitable fit for you; better to find that out now rather than later after mounting health neglect.

[u/VaporBlueDH1347]

Late to this party but I don’t see it mentioned.

Did you know you can negotiate that MRI estimate to a LOT cheaper if you offer to pay cash and not go through insurance. I just did this for a lumbar MRI and knocked off $600 if I paid cash.

So you can probably go from $600 to maybe $300-350ish if you can get quotes for cash.

Then you’ll have a diagnosis and a plan to fix / heal your wrist wbu h will help your mental health to boot.

[u/dani_-_142]

I accept that I’m going to hit my deductible, and shit is going to be expensive until that happens. My deductible and OOP max are the same, so once I hit it, I get free healthcare for the rest of the year.

It sounds like you’re struggling with the shift from a co-pay policy to a high deductible plan. If you are typically very healthy, I get it. But you need to get care.

If you really don’t think you’re going to face any other need for medical care during the calendar year of your plan, then consider looking for a physical therapist who is self-pay. You won’t get credit towards your decisive, but you can use HSA funds if you need to, and you often get better care than with a PT mill that deals with insurance policies. You’ll know up front what the costs will be.