The ColoHealth Health & Wealth Newsletter
December 2025
Vol. 28, Issue 12

The Gift of Health: Smart Healthcare Spending During the Holidays

The average American household spends $1,652 on holiday gifts and entertainment, but what if some of that money could work double duty—bringing joy while building long-term health and financial security?

Your HSA: The Ultimate Health Gift-Giving Tool

Health Savings Accounts aren’t just for emergencies.

They’re one of the most tax-advantaged accounts available, offering triple tax benefits: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. For 2025, you can contribute up to $4,300 for individual coverage or $8,550 for family coverage.

Here’s what many people don’t realize: HSA funds can cover far more than doctor visits. According to IRS guidelines, qualified expenses include vision care, dental treatments, hearing aids, physical therapy, mental health counseling, and even certain over-the-counter medications.

Tip: Instead of traditional gifts, consider using HSA funds to give family members prescription eyeglasses, quality orthotics, or sessions with a nutritionist or therapist—gifts that keep giving all year long.

Wellness Investments That Qualify

The holidays are the perfect time to invest in preventive health.

Many HSA-eligible expenses support long-term wellness. You can use HSA funds for weight loss programs if prescribed by a doctor, smoking cessation programs, or even certain fitness equipment with a Letter of Medical Necessity from your physician.

For example, if your spouse has been dealing with chronic back pain, that ergonomic office chair or standing desk might qualify as a medical expense with proper documentation. A blood pressure monitor for an aging parent? That’s HSA-eligible too.

Real-world example: One ColoHealth member used their HSA to purchase a continuous glucose monitor for their pre-diabetic father—a $200 investment that helped him avoid a diabetes diagnosis by tracking how different foods affected his blood sugar. That’s a gift that literally changed his life trajectory.

Avoiding the Holiday Health Debt Trap

December sees a 30% spike in elective procedures as people rush to use insurance benefits before year-end.

But this creates a dangerous pattern: many Americans go into medical debt during the holidays, carrying an average of $2,000 in healthcare-related credit card balances into the new year. Interest rates on medical debt average 18-24%, turning a $2,000 balance into $2,360 or more within just 12 months.

Here’s a smarter approach: If you’re considering an elective procedure, get multiple quotes first. Call facilities directly and ask about their self-pay rates—many offer 30-50% discounts for cash-paying patients compared to insurance rates.

Tip: For health sharing members, always identify yourself as a self-pay patient. You’ll often receive the best pricing, and these savings benefit both you and your health sharing community.

Strategic Year-End Healthcare Spending

If you’ve already met your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, December is the time to schedule any remaining necessary care.

However, if you haven’t met your deductible, running up bills just because it’s year-end rarely makes financial sense. Instead, focus on preventive care that’s typically covered at 100%, such as annual physicals, cancer screenings, and immunizations.

For those with HSA funds to spare before year-end, consider stocking up on first aid supplies, sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher), pain relievers, allergy medications, and other HSA-eligible items. These everyday health essentials make practical “gifts” for your family’s medicine cabinet.

A Special Gift: Knowledge About Health Sharing

Speaking of gifts that keep on giving, we’re excited to announce our new book: Health Sharing: The Authoritative Guide to America’s Fastest-Growing Health Insurance Alternative.

This comprehensive resource explains how health sharing works, how to maximize your benefits, and how to navigate the healthcare system as a self-pay patient. It’s available now on Amazon and makes an excellent gift for family members exploring alternatives to traditional insurance.

For ColoHealth members, this book reinforces the strategies you’re already using—negotiating medical bills, finding cash-pay discounts, and taking control of your healthcare spending. For others, it’s an eye-opening introduction to a model that’s helping thousands of Americans save 30-50% on healthcare costs.

Make Health Your Holiday Priority

The holidays should be about health and happiness, not debt and stress.

By thinking strategically about healthcare spending—whether through HSA optimization, smart negotiation, or preventive investments—you can give your family the greatest gift of all: financial peace of mind and better health outcomes.

This season, before adding another gadget to your cart, ask yourself: “Could this money better serve my family’s long-term health?” Sometimes the best gifts aren’t wrapped in paper—they’re wrapped in the promise of a healthier, more financially secure future.

To Your Health and Wealth,

Wiley P. Long III
President- ColoHealth

The ColoHealth Health & Wealth Newsletter is published monthly and emailed to subscribers at no charge. Subscribe now to stay on top of the critical information you need to know about health insurance, healthshare plans and managing your finances to achieve financial security.