Personal Investing: The Missing Manual

Chapter 12. Investing for Health Care

Face it, health insurance is expensive and getting more so every day. In 2009, the average family of four with employer-provided coverage spent $16,771 on health care costs, including premiums, according to health care consulting firm Milliman. If you can’t get an affordable employer-based plan, costs are even higher. In addition, more and more employers are offering high-deductible health insurance plans paired with health savings accounts, which are less expensive for them, and usually more expensive for you.

If you have your own business, your employer doesn’t offer health insurance, or he offers coverage that’s too expensive, you’re on your own—literally. Finding a policy can be complicated, because each one offers different coverage, deductibles, co-pays, and so on. And if you and your family members aren’t in good health or have preexisting medical conditions, you may not be able to get health insurance at all.

This chapter describes the ins and outs of health insurance and identifies ways you can save and invest for your health care expenses. First, you’ll learn about the different types of health insurance plans and how to choose one.

Because high-deductible health insurance plans are growing more prevalent, you’ll find out whether one of these plans is right for you and how to set one up. These plans come with health savings accounts that help you save and invest toward your health care expenses.

Finally, this chapter offers some tips on ...