The How-To Guide to Great Healthcare on a High Deductible Health Plan

Did you sit down to review your benefits last October and find yourself baffled by acronyms like HDHP, PPO, HMO, HSA, FSA? Unravel the mystery of healthcare plans with San Antonio Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center’s guide to budgeting for great healthcare.

HMO: Health Maintenance Organization. These plans allow members to use healthcare services within the organization’s network, usually at a reduced cost. Providers promise to meet specified quality requirements.

PPO: Preferred Provider Organization. These plans allow members to choose any provider within the network (usually cheaper) or outside of it.

HDHP: High Deductible Health Plan. These plans charge lower premiums but have a higher yearly deductible, allowing consumers to find lower cost healthcare providers. You must have one to be eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA) – a medical savings account that’s not subject to federal income.

HDHPs have become a favorite with employers and consumers and look set to become the standard. Yet increasingly, people switching to HDHPs aren’t accessing vital preventive services– leading to bigger health problems and bills in the long run. You don’t want to be one of them.


Putting a Price on Your Healthcare

You CAN access high-quality healthcare, even on a tight budget, so don’t risk your health by delaying screenings – this could also delay diagnosis and treatment.

  • Set up an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account). You can set an FSA up alongside any plan, providing it’s offered as part of your employee benefits, and use it to pay your own health care expenses and those of you family (subject to eligibility). HSAs rollover each year if unused. Aim to save enough to cover your HDHP deductible.
  • Use the free services you’re entitled to with your HDHP, such as Well Woman and Well Man clinics, screenings (e.g. colonoscopies), scans and vaccinations.
  • Read reviews and do your research. You can find estimates for screenings and services on sites like com  and FMMA.org’s ShopHealth . This allows you to find good prices, but ensure you read reviews as well, so you know you’re also getting great quality. Some ambulatory surgery centers offer a cash price for patients paying out of pocket.


Want more tips for Managing Your Budget & Your Health?

Download the FREE  Guide to Getting Quality Healthcare You Can Afford 

San Antonio Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center is an industry leader in colon cancer screenings and prevention  and offers a variety of high-quality endoscopy services. The physicians at San Antonio Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center exceed national benchmarks for colon cancer detection, and the entire team is top-ranked in patient satisfaction.

That means you’ll receive premium care at San Antonio Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center – but you won’t pay premium prices. Procedures cost a fraction of the price of hospital-based procedures and the Center offers convenient drop-off and pick-up, enhanced safety accreditations, and greater privacy.

If you want to learn more about San Antonio Gastroenterology Endoscopy Center and how to best care for your GI health, explore the website  or contact the SAGEC team at 210-775-2265. The expert team will answer all your questions. You can also schedule your appointment or request an appointment online.