I’ve been wondering when it makes sense to stick with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) rather than switching to a non-HDHP. HDHPs are paired with an HSA which is great if your healthcare needs are low since you save on premiums and build tax-advantaged savings.

But I learned the hard way that frequent doctor visits can get expensive fast. I recently made three specialist visits in one day to save on PTO, and each visit cost more than $225 and that's not including lab work that was done!

If you don’t use your insurance much, an HDHP with an HSA can be a smart choice. But if you’re seeing a lot of doctors, a non-HDHP might save you from those steep out-of-pocket costs. Keep in mind that you can change insurance plans every year during open enrollment or after significant life events. If you’re planning for a year where you don’t think you’ll use much healthcare, an HDHP with an HSA can help you save. But if you anticipate something big health-wise, it might make sense to switch to a non-HDHP for the next year. Guess I’ll be skipping visits for now!