by Beks
I’ve met with lots of specialists over my health mess (cha-CHING!). There were lots of conversations, lots of statements of ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with you’. There didn’t seem to be any consistency in what was causing the problem. I had the joy of paying over $1,000 for the slew of tests they ordered. After months of absolute misery and a lot of frustrated crying, they gave me a diagnosis and a corrective action plan. I didn’t like it. I thought they were wrong but I did it anyway just so I could tell them how wrong they were when the plan failed.
Except it didn’t.
It’s been 30 days since I was last sick. I’m back to running and my hair is starting to grow in. It’s a big lifestyle change and it’s permanent but it’s so nice to know what’s wrong that I almost don’t care.
Almost. It still sucks.
I’m hoping this is the end of it. Hospitals and specialists are so darn expensive. But on a positive note, my HSA plan was the best thing in this case. I didn’t have to ask for referrals to specialists; I could just go – and it was a specialist who figured it out. HSA’s are great if you are really healthy OR really sick. I’ve always assumed I would fall into the ‘really health’ category; it was a relief to have when I slid into the ‘really sick’. Again, HSA’s aren’t the solution for everyone! Research, research, research, and make a decision based on your needs.
Feels great to be (almost) normal again. But I think I’ll keep the short hair.
Beks is a full-time government employee who enjoys blogging late into the night after her four kids have gone to sleep. She’s been married to Chris, her college sweetheart, for 15 years. In 2017, after 3 long years working the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, they paid off more than $70K and became debt free. When she’s not working or blogging, she’s exploring the great outdoors.
First off, an HSA is not a health plan. It’s a savings account you can set up and contribute to if you have a qualified HDHP. Consider editing this post so you aren’t spreading misinformation.
Are you saying you hit the deductible and that’s why you like your HDHP? Or are you trying to say HDHP’s don’t require referrals? I’ve never heard the later, but maybe it is true and an understated benefit HDHP’s. Can anyone else chime in on this fact?
I took it to mean that because she had the money in the HSA already, she didn’t have to worry about which doctor she went to-she could just schedule the appointment and go and know that the financial side was covered instead of making sure the specialist was covered by insurance, etc.
Agree, HSA is being used and that’s not correct. That is a spending account that you can contribute pre-tax money to. I think Beks means to use the term High Deductible plan. Either way, the incorrect terms are confusing if you’re trying to learn from a post like this.
Fixed! Thanks for having me clarify!
A Health Savings Account (HSA) has nothing whatsoever to do with whether or not a heath insurance plan requires a patient to get a referral in advance of care. High Deductible Heath Plans, linked to HSAs, can and often do require referrals to see a specialist. I think Beks meant that because there was ample money in her HSA she didn’t worry about getting a referral or seeing an out-of-network specialist.
Glad you are feeling better. My husband’s plan does not qualify for an HSA, he can use an FSA but at the end of the year if any money remains it does not get rolled over which completely sucks.
That totally sucks! I’m not a fan of FSAs.
HSAs are absolutely the best! We have been fortunate not to have been sick much, and I have thousands from a former job and its also invested and growing! Plus I can keep and use anytime, even for over the counter meds, braces for he kiddos, tests, therapists, anything medical. When I used to have an FSA I was panicked because it had to be gone by year end of you lost it.