My CDHP OOP max was $7,000 for family, well below the requirement for a HDHP of $13,200, but the system will not let me select anything except a HDHP. How do I continue?

[banddcosner]

My CDHP OOP max was $7,000 for family, well below the requirement for a HDHP of $13,200, but the system will not let me select anything except a HDHP. How do I continue? It keeps asking me if I had a self-only or family HDHP. I didn't have either. I had a CDHP through my employer with a HSA they contributed to and I used for authorized medical expenses. The system will not let me continue.

[BMcCalpin · Accepted solution]

Your CDHP is almost certainly an HDHP coupled with an HSA.

A CDHP (Consumer Directed Health Plan) is an industry (i.e., not IRS) term for the combination of an HDHP and a tax-advantaged plan for the deductible like an HSA (there could be other plans). That is, CDHP is used as a short-cut term for the pairing.

So, having a CDHP is not inconsistent with having an HDHP - in fact, a CDHP normally assumes that you have an HDHP as your regular health insurance.

If you have a code "W" in box 12 on your W-2, then your employer believes that your health plan is a qualified HDHP. Indeed, your employer should know; they acquired the plan.

If you have this code, either you have an HDHP or your employer made a mistake on your W-2 and you need it corrected...but you probably have an HSA and an HDHP...called a CDHP by your HR department and your benefits company.