Last Updated on by Ed Harris
2011 Health Savings Account (HSA) limits will remain unchanged due to the low cost of living increase. The maximum 2011 Ohio HSA contribution will be $3,050 for individuals and $6,150 for families. An additional annual “catch up” contribution of $1,000 is available to persons over the age of 55 and not currently enrolled in Medicare. Once enrolled in Medicare, contributions must be temporarily suspended.
To qualify for this type of coverage, you must have a “High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP),” which is available from most of the large insurers, such as Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, UnitedHealthCare, Medical Mutual, Humana, Assurant and Celtic. The HDHP must have a minimum annual deductible of $1,200 for single coverage and $2,400 for family coverage. The annual maximum out-of-pocket expense allowed is $5,950 for single HSA plans and $11,900 for family HSA plans.
Any contributions made by an employer count towards your contribution limit. 2011 contributions for Ohio HSA plans can be made until April 15, 2012. After that date, the tax deduction will count towards 2013. You are never required to make contributions at any time. Many policyholders simply utilize the negotiated network discounts to save money.
Alternative To Conventional Health Insurance Coverage
An Ohio HSA plan is an extremely attractive alternative to traditional health care. Rates are generally much lower than a comparable policy, and preventive benefits are provided at 100% coverage with no copays, deductibles or waiting periods. This type of coverage allows you to pay for your current medical expenses and save for future health care expenses on a tax-free basis. Of course, dental and vision expenses can also be paid out of the account.
Network-negotiated discounts (as previously mentioned) by the healthcare provider, also will reduce your out-of-pocket cost. Office visits, prescriptions, hospital expenses, lab tests and x-rays will be “repriced” to a lower amount. The savings on expensive procedures, such as an MRI, can be substantial. Also, most HSAs offer a “0% coinsurance” option that further reduces your cash outlay. And lifetime caps have been removed, so you will never have to worry about a chronic condition that continues for many years.
Is A Health Savings Account In Your Future?
We are the premier trusted resource for affordable accounts like this. We carefully review all of the available options offered by the major health insurers in the state and only recommend the specific plans that will provide the coverage you need at a rate that meets your budget concerns. In many situations, an HSA will not be suitable for you and we will explain why and also discuss alternatives. And of course, we”re located here in Ohio, unlike most other websites.
You can call or email us at any time. I also have an HSA (myself, wife and two children) and I’ll be happy to review your options and provide an unbiased recommendation.
UPDATES:
August 2016 – We still have our HSA! The network discounts are still large. However, over-the-counter drugs and vitamins are no longer tax-deductible, which is a feature that never should have been removed, despite the government savings.