Three Ways to Save with Start Health

It’s no secret that the US healthcare system is confusing and one of the most costly systems in the world. It can be hard to know how to get the care you need without making common mistakes that could cost you thousands.

There are three main ways we want to help you save money with your Start Health plan. The good news is, the first happens automatically. The other two depend on how you use your plan.

1. Lower Monthly Premiums

The biggest savings start with your premium.

Most insurance companies set your monthly premium based on your age, gender, health history, and habits like smoking. Traditional plans are usually more expensive because they cover anyone regardless of their health history or lifestyle and spread the costs of that care over all of their members.

Start Health operates differently. Since you have to be relatively healthy to qualify for coverage, we’re able to offer you lower premiums because we know our membership won’t submit as many claims for expensive care. It’s like receiving a discount on your auto insurance because you haven’t been in a car accident or received any speeding tickets in so many years.

So, how do premiums compare between different models? In Utah, an average family can pay between $1,400 and $2,200 per month for an ACA plan without government subsidies or employer assistance.

With Start Health, that same family pays about $319 per month!

That means you’ll be saving $12,000 to $22,000 each year on premiums alone.

And you’re still covered for the care you expect, including preventive visits, prescriptions, surgeries, ambulance services, hospital stays, and more.

2. The Self-Pay Reimbursement Model

The second driver of savings depends on where you go to receive care. Start Health coverage isn’t limited by a restrictive network so you can see any doctor. But different providers and facilities can charge wildly different amounts for the same types of services. Start Health is committed to helping you find the highest quality, lowest cost providers.

Start Health pays fixed reimbursement amounts based on fair market cash prices. That means we reimburse the same amount no matter how much your provider charges.

For example:

Let’s say you need a preventive colonoscopy. A large hospital might charge $3,000+ while an independent endoscopy center might charge $1,200.

Start Health reimburses up to $2,250, depending on the billing codes the provider uses.

If you choose the lower-cost provider, you could owe little to nothing out of pocket. The larger hospital would leave you with an additional $750 or more you’d still be responsible to pay.

That’s why it’s important to know your reimbursement amount before scheduling care and shop around for the best providers and facilities.

If you have a planned procedure, call us first. Our care coordinators can:

• Estimate what you’ll be reimbursed
• Suggest high-quality, lower-cost facilities
• Help you know what questions to ask to maximize your savings

A quick phone call or email can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars.

3. Your HSA Tax Benefits

The third way you save is through your Health Savings Account (HSA).

When you contribute to your HSA:

• Your contributions are deductible from your taxable income (i.e. you pay less or get a larger return)
• You can withdraw that money tax-free for qualified medical expenses
• The funds can be invested and grow tax-free

That means your healthcare spending can be completely tax-free if you take advantage of your HSA benefits.

And the best part is if you don’t use all the money, it stays in your account and continues to grow. It’s like paying your future self instead of paying an insurance company.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Plan

To maximize your savings with Start Health, build these habits:

• Contact Start Health before planned procedures
• Ask providers for cash-pay or self-pay pricing
• Always request an itemized bill (you’ll need it for reimbursement but you can also catch billing errors and avoid being overcharged)
• Contribute as much as you can to your HSA

These simple habits can dramatically increase your savings and help you get the care you need when you need it.

For more in-depth information about getting the most out of your Start Health plan, we encourage you to watch the StartU video course in your member portal. You can earn a $50 contribution to your HSA as a reward for completing the course! 

If you ever have questions, we’re here to help. Contact Member Support at 800.894.9454 or email support@starthealth.com.