041 - You Have A Health Savings Account!  Now What? explains how to get the most from your HSA now and into the future, for both beginners and those who want to be better with money when it comes to savings and healthcare.

Scott looks at HSAs in entirely different way from how newly-hired 20-something year olds choose their health plan to who can contribute to your HSA (they are many!)

FREE MONEY - there is a lot to be had when your HSA is funded to your advantage.   When you deposit the maximum amount available, you could see at least another $1,000+ returned to you by Uncle Sam.  Just for making a deposit from money you might have had in a different savings account.

Your HSA saves you money for the long term and today.  Don’t miss the huge discounts you get when you buy things today that you already need.  Instead of paying like you usually do, pay with your HSA and get the discount, at least 28% and up to over 50% depending on your current tax bracket.  Overpaying today for things that you need is just plain goofy and it is money you will never get back!

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Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

040 What Is An Association Health Plan And What Can It Do For Me explains what kinds of associations can offer group health plans if Congress can pass along the same exemption from state insurance laws to associations that it already provides to employer, union and federal government groups through ERISA.

Association Health Plans eliminate the problem of job-lock for people who wish o change jobs but cannot afford to lose their insurance. 

Association Health Plans align incentives to receive better care from associations and affinity groups that exist to serve them - not shareholders or corporate administrators.

Association Health Plans offer an extremely wide variety of choices for people to seek health plans that best serve them at the price they can afford.

Association Health Plans drive down prices due to fierce competition among a huge increase in available plans and from a huge increase in the number of suppliers.

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Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

039 - Direct Primary Care - What Is It?  What Can It Do For Me? explains a (sort of) new way to receive care from your doctor.

As many doctors move away from so-called networks and health systems to open independent private practice, they have structured their new practices to operate under a subscription model for their patients.

Patients pay a monthly, quarterly or annual fee and in return have complete access to a doctors services, as needed.

The American Academy of Family Physicians describes the model on their website.

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Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

038 When It Comes To Health Insurance, Don’t Listen To Your Doctor explains why your health insurance remains valid even though your doctor states that they no longer “take insurance”.

Your health insurance contract has absolutely nothing to do with your doctor or the hospital or the pharmacy.....even though they will explain to you that it is the insurance company at fault for all kinds of issues that affect how and when you can receive treatment.

Scott explains that the contract that the doctor, hospital and pharmacy are constrained by is a Provider Contract or Provider Agreement.  The Provider Agreement may state that it is by and between the doctor/hospital/pharmacy and a named insurance company and its affiliates, but it is completely separate and distinct from the contract you or your employer has that provides your insurance/health plan that pays you as the beneficiary of your policy.

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Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

#037 How You Can Control Your Healthcare Costs explains how your premium costs are a direct reflection of the amounts paid to doctors, hospitals and pharma and what you can do to help yourself lower your costs by comparing.

It’s Open Enrollment season.  Confused?

You can only control what you can control.  If you need help, ring me up at [email protected]

Help yourself by checking healthcare prices.  Two great spots to look and keep your doctor and hospital honest:

Surgery Center of Oklahoma

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs

Watch Dr. Keith Smith and Mark Cuban testify before Senate Committee on Aging

Is your HSA set up correctly?  If you don’t know and want to get ready for 2026, keep an eye out for my upcoming workshop.  Check your balances now and what your plan’s maximum out of pocket is for next calendar year.  Don’t miss out on saving the most you can with your HSA!  Workshop coming up in late November and early December.

Follow me on X: @scottwdowling and @doxcost

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Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

#036 Power To The Patients - Why You Need To See Prices explains why Hip Hop artists Fat Joe, Rick  Ross, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, French Montana and Chuck D are spot on in the public service announcement demanding price transparency in health care.

Watch the PSA here

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Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

#034 Is Your HSA Ready For Next Year explains the steps you need to take now to be prepared for January 1st so that your HSA has you 100% covered for the entire year.

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Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

#035 - Why You Need To Tell Your CEO You Want Fountain Health explains why you need to speak up so that you and your family can be healthy and well with the proactive and preventative benefits from Fountain Health compared to what you only have now.

Support the show

Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

#033 - If you don't know about Fountain Health, you are missing out on the most revolutionary idea to hit health insurance since 1965 and the advent of Medicare.   Scott W. Dowling explains how Fountain Health is better than your traditional plan - saving lives while saving money.  Learn what makes Fountain Health different and how it helps your company, your employees and their loved ones.

Support the show

Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]

#032 - So How's Your HSA Look In The Middle Of The Year helps you to determine if you are short of dollars needed to cover an accident or sickness right now and the rest of the year, how you can fix that now and whether or not you need a new strategy for 2023.

Scott W. Dowling explains the calculation needed to figure out if you are short of HSA funds in the middle of the year.  You may need to contribute to your HSA out of your own pocket now, he explains.

And, if your employer is contributing based on the number of payroll periods during the year, you may wish to rethink your strategy for 2023 so that you are 100% covered next year and every year thereafter.

Maximum Out of Pocket Cost - Current HSA Balance = (Deficit or Surplus)

A Surplus means that you have enough in your HSA to cover the Maximum that you have to pay for any and all health insurance claims you are responsible for in your health plan.

A Deficit means that you will be short of dollars needed to cover the Maximum Out Of Pocket costs that you are responsible for in your health plan.  Further, you'll want to determine how much you will receive from your employer towards your HSA over the remaining pay periods of the year.  If the combined total of Deficit + Remaining Employer Contribution is still less than the maximum you can contribute for the year, then you should contribute that amount immediately, using your personal savings, which can be deducted from your tax return next spring.

HSA Annual Contribution - (Deficit + Remaining Employer Contribution) = Amount You Should Contribute Now From Personal Funds

Support the show

Book a One on One with Scott now!  Click the link below!

Not sure which health plan fits you best?

[Pick My Best Plan - Book 1:1]

New to or want to better start saving tax-free?

[Start My HSA The Smart Way - Book Now]