High deductible health plans

There are two classes of such insurances available:

True catastrophic plans are individual plans that have a high deductible (as high as $5,000 per year) and offer
no outpatient benefits. These plans offer the lowest premiums for obvious reasons but they serve their purpose:
If you suffer a true medical catastrophe and need long and expensive hospitalization they kick in and pick up the
tab after your deductible has been satisfied.  They do not provide much in the way of outpatient care, medication
coverage or other benefits such as labs, X-rays or physical therapy. This is an individual plan only and can not
be coupled with a Health Savings Plan (HSA).

HDHP's coupled with an HSA offer cheaper plans at lower premiums. These are business initiated plans that
offer some outpatient benefits but their true goal is similar to above: they prevent bankruptcy in case of a major
medical catastrophe. Premiums are higher than true catastrophic plans but they offer some limited outpatient
benefits after satisfaction of the deductible. Blue Shield has a plan that allows one annual screening history and
physical with only a $35 co-pay even if the deductible has not been met.

Since this entire concept has been experimental for the past 3 years and has just been signed into law over the
past 4 months choices are somewhat limited. Over time more plans with more options should become available.
Employers and employees should keep an eye out and request these options to be available as health
insurance choices from their Human Resources divisions.