The Premera Blue Cross HDHP pairs low premium, high-deductible coverage with a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) that helps you save money and plan ahead for future medical expenses. This combination gives you more control over your money and rewards you for making healthy, cost-conscious choices.
As an added bonus, Avista will contribute to your HSA — $700 for employee-only coverage or $1,500 for employee + 1 coverage. With the Premera Blue Cross HDHP plan, you can see any provider you wish, but you will pay less when you stay in network.
Tip: Use the medical plan cost estimator to compare plans.
How the Premera Blue Cross HDHP works
- Preventive care: You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it is covered in full.
- Deductible: You pay 100% of your medical and prescription costs until you meet the annual deductible.*
- Coinsurance: After meeting the deductible, you and the plan share the cost of covered medical care and prescriptions, with the plan paying the majority.
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: You are protected by an annual limit on costs — the plan pays 100% of any further covered expenses for the rest of the year.**
*The family deductible is cumulative for all family members. The family deductible can be met by a combination of family members; however, no single individual within the family will be subject to more than $3,300 for in-network care.
** The family out-of-pocket maximum is cumulative for all family members. The family out-of-pocket maximum can be met by a combination of family members; however, no single individual within the family will be subject to more than $6,600 for in-network care.
Keep in mind:
- The Premera Blue Cross HDHP costs you less from your paycheck, so you may have extra money available to put in your HSA.
- You can only spend HSA money that has actually been deposited into your account. If you do not have enough money in your HSA when you need it, you can pay another way and reimburse yourself later so you take full advantage of your HSA’s tax savings.
- You never forfeit any money left in your HSA — it rolls over year after year. If you know about future expenses or want to save for your health care costs in retirement, set aside a little extra each paycheck so your balance can grow over time.
- You can change your HSA contribution amount throughout the year as needed to keep up with any changes in your situation.
- Maximum contribution limit — you can contribute up to IRS limits each year. If you are age 55 or older, you may contribute an extra $1,000 to your HSA.
* Contributions are not subject to federal tax. Exceptions include CA and NJ, where you will pay state tax on HSA contributions, and NH and TN where state taxes apply to tax dividend and interest earnings after a certain dollar amount. Consult with your tax advisor to understand the potential tax consequences of enrolling in an HSA. Money in an HSA can be withdrawn tax-free as long as it is used to pay for qualified health-related expenses. If money is used for ineligible expenses, you will pay ordinary income tax on the amount withdrawn, plus a 20% penalty tax if you withdraw the money before age 65.
Premera Blue Cross Vision Plan Summary
| In-Network | Out-of-Network | |
|---|---|---|
|
Routine Vision Exam (once every calendar year) |
$20 copay |
$20 copay, then 40% coinsurance |
|
Vision Hardware |
$150 per calendar year |
$150 per calendar year |