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Tips to Reduce Your Healthcare Spending

Lively · August 20, 2019 · 3 min read

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Paying for healthcare often feels like you are treading water. If your company passes the costs along to you, it can be even more difficult to afford. You may be paying higher monthly premiums or you may be stuck with a high-deductible health insurance plan. With a high-deductible plan, it can be difficult to predict exactly how much you will pay out-of-pocket—making it tough to keep your budget on track.

Luckily, taking control of your healthcare expenses is possible. It may even be easier than you think. Being proactive now may have a major impact on your wallet all year along. Here are some of the best ways to save on healthcare.

Visit the nearest urgent care for non-emergencies

There are plenty of scenarios when going to the emergency room is best. If you are dealing with a major health crisis or a life-or-death situation, skipping the ER isn’t worth it. Other times, it may be better to pick a more affordable option like an urgent care clinic.

Start by figuring out your closest in-network location. Keep the details handy—in your phone or posted on your refrigerator. If you sprain your ankle, get the flu, or contract a nasty rash, you will be happy to have the details within reach.

Shop around for routine procedures

Are you expecting to pay for a routine procedure? It’s easy to go with the first provider your doctor suggests, but it may not be the cheapest option. Often, procedures have a wide range of prices—even within the same city. Take the time to do some basic research.

Healthcare Bluebook makes it easy to figure out the range of prices you may expect to see in your city. You can also scan New Choice Health to see which providers offer the best prices. Before making a final selection, check with your primary care physician to see if this specialist is right for the treatment you need.

Slash your tax bill

If your company offers a flexible spending account (FSA), you can set aside pre-tax money for healthcare expenses. These plans have a strict use-it-or-lose-it policy, so you need to plan ahead. If you can estimate how much you will use every year, it’s a great way to save on your healthcare.

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are another tax-friendly option. As long as your high-deductible health plan is HSA-eligible, you can save pre-tax money. There is no deadline to use it. Some HSA providers allow you to invest the balance—allowing your money to grow over time. Best of all, you can spend it on any qualified medical expense, penalty-free.

Be proactive to reduce your healthcare spending

Even with good health insurance, you may be spending more on healthcare than before. It’s all too easy for premiums, co-pays, and medical bills to snowball—taking a big chunk from your budget. Your healthcare expenses may feel like a runaway train, but you may have more control than you think. Being proactive may save your family hundreds or thousands per year. These savvy moves may make it easier to afford your family’s other priorities.

Lively

Lively

Lively is the modern HSA experience built for—and by—those seeking stability in the ever-shifting healthcare landscape. By harnessing modern innovation and deep industry expertise, Lively is committed to bridging today’s savings with tomorrow’s unknowns. Unlike traditional institutions hindered by bureaucracy, Lively’s commitment extends beyond initial set up to providing dedicated, ongoing support and education for every step. So each HSA can reach its maximum potential with minimal headache.

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Benefits

2023 and 2024 HSA Maximum Contribution Limits

Lively · May 16, 2023 · 3 min read

On May 16, 2023 the Internal Revenue Service announced the HSA contribution limits for 2024. For 2024 HSA-eligible account holders are allowed to contribute: $4,150 for individual coverage and $8,300 for family coverage. If you are 55 years or older, you’re still eligible to contribute an extra $1,000 catch-up contribution.

comparing hsa versus fsa

Benefits

What is the Difference Between a Flexible Spending Account and a Health Savings Account?

Lauren Hargrave · February 9, 2024 · 12 min read

A Health Savings Account (HSA) and Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) provide up to 30% savings on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. That’s good news. Except you can’t contribute to an HSA and Healthcare FSA at the same time. So what if your employer offers both benefits? How do you choose which account type is best for you? Let’s explore the advantages of each to help you decide which wins in HSA vs FSA.

Benefits of HSA employer matching

Health Savings Accounts

Ways Health Savings Account Matching Benefits Employers

Lauren Hargrave · October 13, 2023 · 7 min read

Employers need employees to adopt and engage with their benefits and one way to encourage employees to adopt and contribute to (i.e. engage with) an HSA, is for employers to match employees’ contributions.

Disclaimer: the content presented in this article are for informational purposes only, and is not, and must not be considered tax, investment, legal, accounting or financial planning advice, nor a recommendation as to a specific course of action. Investors should consult all available information, including fund prospectuses, and consult with appropriate tax, investment, accounting, legal, and accounting professionals, as appropriate, before making any investment or utilizing any financial planning strategy.

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