Managing patients with high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts: part 2.

High-deductible health plans and health savings accounts have many patients and providers mutually mystified. It is very important for providers and their staff to understand and manage these emerging products that are becoming more common. This article examines a case study of a family of four with these products. The case study shows the reader the number of moving parts as well as how quickly the patient liability can increase faster than the funds in the health savings account. Mishandling these products can cause unnecessary cash flow issues, but a little pro-activity, education, and training now will go a long way.