# High Deductible Health Insurance, Preexisting Conditions and HSA

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 2, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171 "2009-02-02T23:34:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171/21 "2009-02-05T15:07:05Z")

</div>

> [@Sparklo](#):
>
> I’m assuming the policy you’re talking about is for family coverage, right? For self-only coverage, the out-of-pocket cost (deductibles and co-pays) has to be less than $5,600 (in 2008).

Yup - for a family of four.

I just did my taxes last night, and I ran across the deductible-ness of medical expenses. They have to be pretty high up there to be deductible. But, this is my first year with an HSA, so I’m off to investigate the deductibility of my insurance premiums…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171/22 "2009-02-06T16:22:18Z")

</div>

Update: I just talked to my CPA, and long story short, he screwed up when I talked to him earlier this year. You guys are completely correct - medical expenses are not deductible until they hit the 7.5% level, unless you have an HSA.

Luckily, I have not yet paid much this year, so I’m not going to be adversely effected by this. Y’all saved me some cash! Thanks!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171/23 "2009-02-06T23:10:08Z")

</div>

Thanks for the answers. I was told that the premiums are NOT tax deductible. That doesn’t make sense to me. When I worked for an employer, my premiums were taken out of my check tax-free.

So, if I work for a good company, then premiums are tax free.  
If I work for a shithole with no bennies and pay for insurance out of pocket, then no tax benefits?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![IdahoMauleMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71c47a/32.png) [@IdahoMauleMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IdahoMauleMan)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171/24 "2009-02-06T23:40:53Z")

</div>

> [@jtgain](#):
>
> Thanks for the answers. I was told that the premiums are NOT tax deductible. That doesn’t make sense to me. When I worked for an employer, my premiums were taken out of my check tax-free.
> 
> So, if I work for a good company, then premiums are tax free.  
> If I work for a shithole with no bennies and pay for insurance out of pocket, then no tax benefits?

Yes.

Some evil, non-progressive Republicans tried to rectify this little discrepancy but never got anywhere with Congress.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\
**Post date:** [February 7, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171/25 "2009-02-07T04:01:37Z")

</div>

> [@IdahoMauleMan](#):
>
> Yes.
> 
> Some evil, non-progressive Republicans tried to rectify this little discrepancy but never got anywhere with Congress.

I’m not so sure about that. According to [Publication 502](http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf) page 8:

> [@](#):
>
> You can include in medical expenses insurance premiums you pay for policies that cover medical care. Medical care policies can provide payment for treatment that includes:  
> · Hospitalization, surgical services, X-rays,  
> · Prescription drugs and insulin,  
> · Dental care,  
> · Replacement of lost or damaged contact lenses, and  
> · Long-term care (subject to additional limitations).

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-deductible-health-insurance-preexisting-conditions-and-hsa/484171.md?page=1)