Yes, HSA's are a good way to handle high deductibles...I personally don't like these high deductibles that have become the norm.... it started at Matt's job about 4 years before Obamacare, where deductibles went way up....but like I said, his company puts money in an account for us to draw off of for medical deductibles....
These kind of plans with high deductibles, SAVES YOUR EMPLOYER a lot of money, even with them contributing to some of the deductible amount in an account for you....it is very advantageous for the employer NOT to have to pay the high costs of a plan with low deductibles for all employees.
The level of deductibles is something I'd like more discussion on. Very few people are going to hit a 6,000 deductible.
What I felt needed fixing was the cost of co-pays. It was just to easy for people to go into the doctor when junior had a cold and a visit was only 5 or 10 dollars. Putting it at 40 or 50 might cause people to think twice.
There is also an argument that you don't want to stop people from going to the doctor.
High deductibles don't change that...in fact, they make it worse when you are paying the full amount.
HSA's, which is what I think you are describing, are fantastic. These were supposed to be an accrual account as well as a running account.
The max is 6,000 plus what your employer put's in. Many people have 6,000 deductible policies. No accrual if you hit it.
I think they should raise the cap to 12,000. That way you can put money away for later.
But this whole deductible thing is worth a discussion on...
Hard to find a middle, where deductibles are high enough to give resistance to going to the doctor all the time and low enough that it doesn't stop people from going to the doctor when they really should.
And I am not certain that Doctor copays should necessarily go up...especially since we are paying a lot in monthly premiums as well, we should get something out of it without having to dig deep in to our pockets again??? All the tests the doctors prescribe will hit the deductibles...