I Have Diabetes or Another Chronic Condition - Should I Use an HSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are becoming quite popular for people who are generally healthy. But what about sick people? What about people who have chronic conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis or the like? Does an HSA make sense for them?

The short answer is yes.

One of my clients is a diabetic. She is very careful about what she eats and she takes her insulin regularly. She has a tremendous amount of energy and a great outlook on life. She's in her late fifties.

She asked me about the high-deductible health insurance policy and the HSA in my book. We began to work the numbers together.

With a high-deductible plan, she would definitely be paying out-of-pocket for insulin and other supplies every month, to the tune of over eighty dollars. But, on the other hand, she would save $250 on a reduced premium payment.

Once we did the calculation, she and I realized that it made perfect sense for her to switch to a high-deductible policy and use an HSA. Even after paying for her diabetic supplies, she was saving $170 every month, which amounted to $2,040 a year.

What could you do with $2,040 a year, given to you just for changing your insurance policy?

I can think of lots of uses. My client has also thought of lots of uses for that money, believe me! (I think she's saving it for a nest egg.)

Now, whenever she sees me, she points and says "You're the guy who saved me $250 a month!" That's a great feeling.

If you have a chronic condition that requires pharmaceutical drugs or medical supplies or on-going doctor visits, please do this calculation for yourself. Compare the amount that you'd be paying out-of-pocket to the amount of money you'll save with a lowered premium payment each month. You might be pleasantly surprised!

And, of course, if you have a relapse or a catastrophic health event, your insurance policy will kick in once you hit the deductible, and you'll enjoy full coverage after that.

Health Savings Acccounts (HSAs) are a wonderful tool to help you reduce your health insurance costs. They are a perfect fit for the self-employed and the small business. And they are available today! Talk to your insurance agent, bank or financial advisor for more details. Who knows? You might have an extra $250 or more coming into your household next month!

Daryl Kulak is the author of the book "Health Insurance Off the Grid - A Wonderful Way to Use Alternative Medicine and Save Money on Insurance Using the New Health Savings Account (HSA)." The book provides a nine-step plan to get your self-employed or small business health insurance costs under control using a unique approach you won't find anywhere else. The book is available for sale as an e-Book or paperback at the Website http://www.healthoffthegrid.com

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:44:32 GMT

Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees - Los Angeles Times


stv.tv
Paramount to release fewer films, cut 25 DreamWorks employees
Los Angeles Times - 46 minutes ago
By Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer Looking to cut overhead and operating expenses after the recent departure of DreamWorks co-founder Steven Spielberg, Paramount Pictures plans to release fewer films, consolidate operations and slash 25 ...
Spielberg back in fold Financial Times
Paramount cuts films, jobs Straits Times
New York Times - AZ Central.com - Bizjournals.com - Reuters
all 42 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:58:16 GMT

Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual - International Herald Tribune


ABC News
Feds investigate failure of Washington Mutual
International Herald Tribune - 33 minutes ago
AP SEATTLE: Federal authorities said Wednesday they have opened an investigation into the failure of Washington Mutual Inc., the largest bank failure in US history.
Federal Investigators to Examine Washington Mutual New York Times
Washington Mutual's Failure Under US Investigation (Update2) Bloomberg
Reuters - Wall Street Journal - Seattle Post Intelligencer - ABC News
all 87 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:10:47 GMT

Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean - The Associated Press


BBC News
Omar grows into Category 2 hurricane in Caribbean
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
CHRISTIANSTED, US Virgin Islands (AP) - Heavy rains and winds pummeled St. Croix on Wednesday as the outer edge of powerful Hurricane Omar drenched the island, stranding motorists on flooded roads and forcing workers to shut down a giant oil refinery.
Video: Hurricane Omar Nears Caribbean Islands AssociatedPress
Omar Strengthens in Caribbean, Aims at Virgin Islands (Update4) Bloomberg
United Press International - Washington Post Blogs - Bradenton Herald - Beaumont Enterprise
all 2,958 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:42:51 GMT

FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept" - Ars Technica


CNET News
FCC report: White space devices work as "proof of concept"
Ars Technica - 3 hours ago
By Nate Anderson | Published: October 15, 2008 - 06:08PM CT The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology has released its long-awaited technical report (PDF) on "white space" prototype devices, and the conclusion comes right up front: "At this juncture, ...
FCC Chairman backs use of "white space" spectrum CNET News
FCC Gives Whites Spaces a Boost New York Times
CRN - NetworkWorld.com - The Associated Press - Wired News
all 271 news articles

Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:12:55 GMT

As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look - New York Times


Vancouver Sun
As Rays Come of Age, Torre Likes Their Look
New York Times - 33 minutes ago
By TYLER KEPNER LOS ANGELES - For the first 10 years of their existence, when they never won more than 70 games in a season, the Tampa Bay Rays faced Joe Torre more than any other manager.
Rollins leads off Game 5 with homer MLB.com
Rollins, Phillies lead Dodgers in Game 5 of NLCS The Associated Press
USA Today - WDTN - Philadelphia Daily News - Washington Post
all 325 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT

McCain, Obama get personal in final debate - The Associated Press


Washington Post
McCain, Obama get personal in final debate
The Associated Press - 41 minutes ago
HEMPSTEAD, NY (AP) - John McCain told Barack Obama to his face Thursday night, "You didn't tell the American people the truth" about a key campaign pledge as the two presidential rivals slung accusations at close quarters in the final debate of their ...
McCain, Obama tussle over backing Bush’s policies Reuters
Obama Widens Lead as Americans See `Serious' Crisis (Update2) Bloomberg
TIME - Wall Street Journal - Austin American-Statesman - ABC News
all 775 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:02:37 GMT

Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir - New York Times


National Post
Maddon Sticks to ‘Plan,’ Giving Ball to Kazmir
New York Times - 33 minutes ago
By JOSHUA ROBINSON BOSTON - Tampa Bay Rays Manager Joe Maddon has always disliked last-minute adjustments. So when he threw the Boston Red Sox a curveball on Wednesday by announcing that he was changing his Game 5 starter, Maddon said it was always ...
Rays will go with Scott Kazmir in Game 5 Los Angeles Times
Rays continue Cinderella story Newsday
The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - MLB.com - Tampabay.com - SI.com
all 718 news articles

Publ.Date : Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:11:08 GMT

Data Feed Content for Web Pages
RSS Software


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Pancreas Transplants - A Solution For Type 1 Diabetes Sufferers?

Type 1 diabetes was formerly known as juvenile diabetes or... Read More

Treating Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The toes burn and tingle and sharp pains shoot into... Read More

Diabetes Type 2 and Artificial Sweeteners

Diabetes Type 2 (adult onset)Refined carbs/sugars are actually the biggest... Read More

Diabetes

Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount... Read More

Diabetes - A National Epidemic

Are you a diabetic? If so, you are definitely not... Read More

Diabetes and Fitness

There are two main types of diabetes, type I and... Read More

Diabetic Frozen Shoulder. An Explanation of The Frozen Shoulder - Diabetes Connection?

Diabetic frozen shoulder is a major problem. The pain and... Read More

Type I Diabetes: Insulin-Dependent Diabetes

Type I diabetes is also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or... Read More

Build Health: Want To Prevent Diabetes?

To prevent diabetes you will get a real jolt when... Read More

Diabetes is Manageable

It is estimated that over 18 million people over the... Read More

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy.... Read More

Pre-Diabetes: Check Engine Warning Light

Your car has an early detection system and so does... Read More

STAT-LET? Auto Safety Lancets - Makes Diabetes Testing Easy!

Stat Medical Hardware, Inc (SMD) was founded in 1988 and... Read More

Tools to Manage Your Diabetes

It's estimated that in the US, over 18 million people... Read More

Protein Principles for Diabetes

Dietary considerations can present a Hobson's choice in diabetes. Even... Read More

Low-Carb: The Role of Insulin

There are three basic units the body uses for energy:1.... Read More

Normal Blood Sugar Levels ARE Possible for a Diabetic!

What are normal blood sugar levels? Fasting (blood sugar level... Read More

Diabetes Awreness: There?s No Substitute for Good Friends

Was there a time when you relished the idea of... Read More

Recognizing Early Symptoms Diabetes

Early symptoms diabetesStay alert in recognizing early symptoms of diabetes.... Read More

Diabetic Fruits

Fruit gives you energy, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.Examples of fruits... Read More

Diabetes Has Become A Risk in Mens Life

This is true that men with diabetes have an increased... Read More

Diabetes... Sweet Story of Healing

In a time not too long ago, there lived a... Read More

Insulin

Insulin has two critical roles in the body that we... Read More

Avandia Side Effect Lawyer: Diabetes Drug Damages Liver

Avandia, a compound of rosiglitazone maleate, is an oral antidiabetic... Read More

What Is Diabetes?

Your doctor may have recently advised you have diabetes. Or... Read More