If you are one of those folks who dreads the open enrollment period for your health benefits, who puts their heads inside of their shell and basically runs and hides, I'm sorry to say, you are the hunted.  If you simply sign up for whatever you had last year (but likely at a higher price, and possibly with reduced benefits) without doing your homework, you are the hunted.  If you haven't figured out things like HSAs, HRAs, or FSAs, then you are the hunted.  If you simply do what your office "best friend" does, then unless they are a hunter and your family situation mirrors theirs exactly, then you are the hunted.

• On the other hand, if you read the insurance materials from cover-to-cover;
• If you know which doctors come with which insurance plan;
• If you understand the difference between the various premiums as well as the deductibles;
• If you understand the difference between HSAs, HRAs, and FSAs and fully utilize them within your plan;
• If you understand the differences between the drug coverage offered;
• If you know what you spent on health care in the current year for yourself and family including premiums, medications, OTC costs, and doctors visits;
• If you spent every nickle out of your FSA or made the maximum contribution to your HSA;
• If you understand the tax benefits of an HSA (if you have one or are considering one); then you are definitely the Hunter.

If you are the Hunted, it may not be too late and you still have a chance.

Hunters, to the extent you can "kick ass" when it comes to making healthcare decisions, you do it!!