. For example, some plans carry lower monthly premiums but have bigger deductibles and other costs, as well as a skinnier network of doctors available to patients. Conversely, plans with higher monthly premiums may have smaller deductibles and out-of-pocket limits
and a larger roster of specialists available to them, perhaps without a referral from a primary care doctor.
While raiding retirement savings early is generally not a good idea, there are tax-efficient ways patients can consider withdrawing money from an individual retirement account if they need funds, McClanahan said. It may be useful to talk to an accountant about these options, she said. For example, a saver who's under age 59½ generally owes a 10% tax penalty in addition to income taxes when withdrawing money from an IRA.to that 10% penalty in some cases involving significant, unreimbursed medical expenses. Such people would have to document their medical expenses and would still owe income tax on that IRA withdrawal, McClanahan said.