I take $150 out of my paycheck each pay period. Is money I have taken out of my paycheck considered "contributions I personally made (not through my employer)"?

[aneinfeldt]

The money is mine from my paycheck but the employer transfers it to my HSA account.

[MaryK4]

No, if your employer deducts the contribution pre-tax through payroll, they are not contributions you personally made and they cannot be deducted on your tax return.  (If the contributions are made after-tax and are included in your Box 1 Wages then it would be contributions you made.)