INSURANCE COMPANY: "We offer top-tier coverage! Your monthly premium is only $340."
YOU: "Great. So if I need an MRI, you cover it?"
INSURANCE COMPANY: "Not until you hit your $5,000 deductible."
YOU: "So I pay $4,080 a year in premiums, plus $5,000 out of pocket before you pay anything?"
INSURANCE COMPANY: "Correct. After that, we cover 80% until your $8,700 out-of-pocket max."
YOU: "So I have to spend $13,700 of my own money in one year before I get full coverage?"
INSURANCE COMPANY: "Yes, but you're paying every month for peace of mind!"
YOU: "My take-home is $4,500 a month. One surgery wipes out 3 months of my entire income."
INSURANCE COMPANY: "That's what the HSA is for."
You aren't buying health insurance.
You're paying a monthly fee for the right to go into medical debt slightly slower.