We've just been royally screwed by my husband's employer and health insurance co.

[denverbill]

2. I've had an HDHP for several years, by choice.

My company contributes $600 to an HSA for me choosing that plan. I contribute the difference between the cheapest non-HDHP and my premium and put that into the HSA as well. I haven't had many expenses so I've managed to save a few thousand dollars into the HSA, more than enough to cover my deductible if I have a bad year for expenses.

My wife switched to a HDHP last year. She had some prescription shocks like you. She switched to a different drug which was much less costly but equally effective. She had way more expenses than me and so spent a lot out of pocket, but if she had a big expense she would just increase the amount she was putting into the HSA. She might have been better off with the old plan as well, but she is doing the HDHP again this year. We'll see how it works.

I don't know if I'd blame the insurance industry. I think it's the employer that makes the decisions what plans to offer.