By Michael Kauper From Minneapolis, MN, 07/27/2009 Subject: MN BCBS HSA. Thank you for including the name of the insurance company. I am disappointed, though not surprised to hear BCBS. I have a high-deductible policy through Humana which I haven't used yet so I appreciate the warning for myself and others. Insurance companies are not to be trusted. They are in financial trouble and are looking for ways to rip people off. Last year West Bend Insurance did not refund my house policy when I sold my house - a normal sale after 20 years of paying in full every year. Now I am fighting for a West Bend $2000 car repair claim reimbursement after having only one very small claim in 20 years. Despite not trusting any insurance companies, I am not quite willing to go totally without. For now I have a high-deductible policy through Humana. I have not used it yet so I don't know what coverage I will receive vs what was promoted. Health care is the only businesses when you are forced to buy most services without knowing the cost. When I went shopping for an insurance company I guessed what services in might need in the next 20 years. I called Phillips Eye Institute, Mpls and asked what insurance companies they work with and they refused to tell me. How can you go shopping when basic info like that isn't shared. Or when so many illnesses are excluded. I love not having my insurance linked to my employment. We will be a happier and healthier nation when more people purchase self-funded insurance (like car and house insurance.) A couple with each partner working 30 hrs/wk should be able to buy 60-hrs worth of insurance - even more with the extra income they can be paid directly by their employer when the company is no longer a sales agent for an insurance company. Just like car insurance - everyone should be required to have health insurance and pay according to their needs. If someone wants a free baby and can't afford the insurance, let them apply for a grant from the many organizations who do not support sex education, sexual responsibility and family planning for boys and girls. Let families focus on living a balanced, healthy lifestyle instead of one partner working 40-60 hrs just to get insurance - that's insane. Not to mention company/insurance changing policies yearly and giving employees little time and info to make their decisions (example - State of MN employees insurance program). Don't get me wrong - I don't support Congress-level insurance for free. I don't know the specifics of Canada. It sounds like they get basic, no-frills health care through taxes. If that doesn't meet our needs we get our credit cards and head elsewhere (with our insurance history cd). I estimate that Health Partners was paid approx. $80,000 as part of my health care benefit as a State of Minnesota employee over 20 years. However, I only used about $10,000. If I had received my earned $80,000 (or even half) I would now have a nice health care nest egg - you can guess who received most of that nest egg - HP 'not-for-profit' mgmt and directors, not to mention politicians and lobbists. HSA has been around for awhile but is there really any tangible benefit? How can you calculate any real 'tax' benefit? And the investments options aren't any better than I can get elsewhere. HSA just means more paperwork to process for reimbursements while yet another organization is deciding how my hard-earned money should be spent on health care. I was forced to have a HSA or lose a healthy chuck of benefit money I earned as a state of Minnesota employee. When you leave state employment the state keeps (steals) 60% of your unused sick time accrual benefit and forces you to put the rest in their HSA. Edit however you wish. Thank goodness I'm not on vacation often ... love your program. Thanks for letting me brainstorm and vent.