High-deductible health plans have become the default option for a growing number of employers seeking to manage rising healthcare costs. With deductibles now averaging over $3,200 for individual coverage, employees are shouldering a larger share of their medical expenses than ever before.
Financial advisors recommend pairing these plans with health savings accounts to offset the burden. Workers who contribute consistently to HSAs can build a substantial tax-advantaged reserve that carries over year to year.
Despite the savings for employers, critics argue that high deductibles discourage preventive care, ultimately leading to costlier interventions down the road.
