scripted by God written by Scott (myHSAguy)

Do you believe in Luck?

In 1998, I was introduced for the first time to Medical Savings Accounts, now known as Health Savings Accounts or HSAs. That was it. The answer to the ever-growing problems of over-utilization and entitlement mentality that has health insurance costs skyrocketing. Now all we need to do is get the word out. After several years of trying to train insurance agents to endorse these consumer-driven health care plans, it became obvious that my message wasn’t getting through. These agents all had convenient excuses why HSAs will never work. They’re too complicated. They’re too risky. People won’t invest the premium savings. I had one agent honest enough to inform me that although he admires my passion and knowledge of HSAs, he cannot afford to recommend them because the lower premium would decrease his commission too much.

I remember specifically asking God why I felt so sure HSAs were going to change health care in America, yet no one else would listen. Sure, virtually every client I talked to would understand and enroll, but I am only one person. I can only talk to one company at a time. I began to question God (not smart, I know). Was this actually a blessing… or a curse?

Maybe the correct messenger would be the financial institutions that actually hold the HSA accounts. I changed my focus away from insurance agents towards banks. Some experts have predicted up to $300 billion per year will be re-directed away from insurance companies and deposited into individually-owned HSA accounts, primarily in local banks.

Most local banks I met with totally rejected the idea of partnering with an insurance agency. A handful were willing to accept the HSA accounts but not willing to promote HSAs. I was… once again… wondering if I was heading towards another dead end.

Everything changed in August of 2006. I was driving down the highway when the cars in front of me started swerving to avoid objects in the road. The car immediately in front of me ran over a piece, and it stuck. I backed off in fear of it coming loose and hitting me. About a mile later, the car was smoking. Shortly after that, it was on fire. I sped up and told the lady to pull over. A metal fencing material had wrapped around her suspension and would not come out. So there I was lying on the shoulder of the road kicking at the metal until it finally broke loose. The metal was very sharp. I had cut my hands in many places and was bleeding. The grateful lady asked for a business card and we parted ways. I thought nothing of it.

A week later I received a package with a gift and a Thank You Card that I have kept with me ever since:

Scott,

Just wanted to say a proper “thank you” for stopping on the freeway last week and helping me with that “fence” that was caught under my rental car. Sorry I didn’t have anything to clean your hands with.

I noticed from your card you’re an HSA Consultant. I was in KS because of a bank merger, doing some post-merger training. I facilitate HSA training for our bankers as well; small world.

Well, thank you again for all your help. You’ve restored my faith in “The Good Samaritan”

Val

M&I Bank

I immediately called her and asked her if she thinks God has a sense of humor? What are the odds of her (large national bank HSA trainer) meeting me (eat, drink, sleep HSAs – just ask my kids) in a fiery introduction on the side of a highway… way beyond lottery odds.

I am now working with M&I Bank on several projects promoting HSAs, including their sponsorship of a radio program where I talk about HSAs and an employer video where I am interviewed as the HSA Expert (www.mibank.com/hsaemployer). Our business has grown tremendously due to this "chance" meeting.

Some have said I am lucky. I don’t believe in luck. Luck is simply when preparedness meets opportunity. It took many frustrating years and many dead ends before I was ready for the opportunity.

Bottom line…Don’t ever question whether or not God wants to work in your life. Our job is to be available for whatever situation HE places us in. God is in control and He wouldn’t have put you there if you couldn’t handle it.