As an employer you may have heard about deductible or high deductible health plans. Here at HNE, we want members to be better consumers. HNE members should know how their plan works and how their plan can work for them. Being a better health care consumer empowers members to make smarter health care purchasing decisions. To the right are the top five things members should know about their deductible plan.

To learn more about health- care savings accounts visit our preferred vendor, healthequity.com, and click Resource Center.

1. An annual deductible is the amount of money that must be paid out-of-pocket before the plan begins paying benefits. Keep in mind that monthly premiums and copayments do not count towards the plan deductible.

2. Most preventive services are covered in full with no cost sharing (no copay, deductible or coinsurance).

3. Deductible plans can be paired with certain health- care savings accounts. A health savings account allows consumers to save for medical expenses on a tax-free basis. Funds used to pay for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.

4. There are three types of healthcare savings accounts:

1. Health Savings Account (HSA)
2. Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
3. Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

5. All HNE wellness programs, including the online HRA and associated Lifestyle Management Programs (nutrition, physical activity, stress, and depression) are available to employees regardless of whether or not they are HNE members.