How to Choose a Medical Plan
There's no single "best" plan — the right choice depends on your health needs, budget, and how you prefer to manage costs. Here's a simple guide to help you decide.
💡 Key insight: A lower monthly paycheck deduction doesn't always mean lower total cost. If you use a lot of healthcare, a plan with a higher premium but lower deductible may save you money overall.
Which Plan Might Be Right for You?
🏥 PPO Classic — Consider this if you...
- Visit the doctor frequently (more than 4–5 times per year)
- Take multiple prescription medications regularly
- Have a planned surgery or procedure coming up
- Have young children who need regular pediatric care
- Prefer predictable copays over percentage-based costs
- Are managing a chronic condition like diabetes or asthma
Example: Maria has two kids and visits the pediatrician 6+ times a year. With the PPO's $25 copay per visit, she pays $150 total. On the HDHP Standard, those same visits would cost her the full negotiated rate until she hits her deductible — potentially $400+.
⭐ HDHP Gold — Consider this if you...
- Want to save money in an HSA for future healthcare costs
- Are generally healthy but want protection against big bills
- Want a middle ground between premium savings and deductible risk
- Are interested in investing your HSA for retirement healthcare
- Use telehealth frequently (it's $0 on all plans)
Example: James is 34 and healthy. He saves $50/month vs. the PPO Classic. Ten Key adds $750 to his HSA. He contributes another $1,500. By year-end, he has $2,250 in his HSA — more than enough to cover his deductible if something unexpected happens.
💛 HDHP Standard — Consider this if you...
- Rarely visit the doctor (1–2 times per year or less)
- Are young and in excellent health
- Want to maximize your take-home pay each paycheck
- Can comfortably cover a higher deductible if needed
- Want to aggressively build your HSA balance over time
Example: Priya is 27 and only sees a doctor for her annual physical (which is free on all plans). She saves $86/month vs. the PPO Classic ($1,032/year). Even if she has one unexpected urgent care visit, she's still ahead financially.
Quick Decision Checklist
Answer these questions to guide your choice: