It’s a trade-off. It’s up to you to choose which option gives you the best value on your total health care costs.

Would you rather pay less now and more when you need care? Or pay more now and less when you need care?

Pay Less Now

The Bronze, Bronze Plus, and Silver coverage levels cost less per paycheck, but your deductible is higher. That means you’ll pay more out of your pocket when you need care. The Bronze and Silver coverage levels are high-deductible options with an HSA.

Make sure you know how the deductible works. Also, make sure the deductible amount is something you could afford in the event you need a lot of health care.

TIP: You can save money to cover those higher out of pocket medical costs when you need it by enrolling in an HSA when you enroll in a Bronze or Silver coverage level or by enrolling in an FSA when you enroll in a Bronze Plus or Gold coverage level.

Pay Less Later

The Gold coverage level costs more per paycheck, but your deductible is lower. If you don’t expect to have a lot of health care needs, you could be spending money for benefits you don’t use.