Include Health Care in Your Wealth Plan

Healthcare costs can be difficult to forecast, and while even routine care is pricey, the costs associated with unexpected health issues can be staggering. Now is the time to be proactive and include healthcare arrangements in your wealth plan or review the provisions you already have in place.

Loss of Income

What would happen if you or your spouse suffered an unexpected accident or other health incident and were unable to work? Consider if this income loss was compounded by another family member having to take time off work to serve as a caregiver. Consult with your trusted professional to discuss how to model and account for these types of medical events in your wealth plan. Also, discuss whether short- and long-term disability insurance might make sense for your situation.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

HSAs offer tax savings: contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, earnings are tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free. If your employer contributes to an HSA for you, those contributions may be excluded from your gross income. Contributions remain in your account to grow until you use them. To save in an HSA, you must have a highdeductible health plan. You cannot currently be enrolled in Medicare or claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return.

Starting in 2026, bronze and catastrophic marketplace plans become HSA-eligible, and direct primary care fees are qualified expenses. Also, HSA funds may be used for telehealth services without requiring a deductible to be met, effective retroactively for 2025.

Plan on a Long Life

High-net-worth people tend to spend more on preventative care and live longer. While including health in your wealth strategy won't prevent a health event, it can help protect you and your loved ones. It's important to weigh not only how health can impact your lifestyle, but also your future aspirations.