Choosing together

Our 2026 health insurance decision

Two solid options for the year the baby arrives. Here is a clear look at both, and why one wins for 2026.

Baby due

November 2026

Delivery

St Elizabeth, in network

Kids' doctors

Children's at St E, covered

Mercury starts

Around July 1

Recommended for 2026

Option A: everyone on Mercury

UHC PPO 250 Platinum, whole family

Estimated net cost, 2026

~$6,450

Premiums~$3,450 / yr
Est. out of pocket (birth year)~$3,000
Employer HSA money$0
Deductible$250 / $500 family
Out of pocket max$1,500 / $3,000 family

Why it wins

  • Lowest total cost for 2026
  • Hard $3,000 cap on all family spending
  • Richest benefits, lowest deductible
  • One plan, one card, simple
  • Protects you if the birth gets complicated

The tradeoff

  • No HSA this year, gives up ~$2,100 free employer money
Alternative

Option B: keep it split

Wife and kids on Children's HSA Advantage, you solo on Mercury HDHP

Estimated net cost, 2026

~$8,970

Premiums~$4,870 / yr
Est. out of pocket (birth year)~$6,200
Employer HSA money$2,100 / yr
Deductible$4,000 family
Out of pocket max$6,000 family

Why you might pick it

  • Keeps two HSAs growing tax free
  • $2,100 a year in free employer HSA money
  • Your own coverage costs $0
  • Better long term wealth building

The tradeoffs

  • About $2,500 more in 2026
  • Worst case exposure is double ($6,000 vs $3,000)
  • Two plans to juggle with a newborn

Estimated cost for 2026

Option A (Mercury)
$6,450
Option B (split)
$8,970

Option A saves about $2,500 and caps your risk at $3,000

The smart two year play

2026: Option A for the birth year. Best protection, lowest cost.

2027: switch to the cheap Mercury HDHP family plan at open enrollment to restart the HSA. You get the best of both.

Bottom line: take Option A for 2026. It is the cheapest, it caps the cost of the birth year at $3,000, and you keep every doctor you use today. The only thing you set aside is the HSA, and you can pick that back up in 2027.

If you go with Option A