The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that healthcare costs have increased almost three times since 1990. In an era where "bazillions" and "gazillions" are commonly used to describe expenses and/or the amount hemorrhaged from corporate bank accounts, this may not seem like a big deal. But wait until someone drops an anvil on your head, and you're not as impervious as your favorite cartoon character. Here are some tips for saving for healthcare not covered by insurance.

Plan for Healthcare Before the Anvil Falls
You've probably heard experts (always dressed in clothes that cost as much as your last car) say that it's good to save three to eight month's salary for emergencies. If you can't do that, try to save something for a date with fate.

Money Market Accounts (MMAs): These deposit accounts offer a better yield than traditional savings accounts, and you can withdraw funds any time (good news if you need to leave town fast or pay for emergency care). MMAs typically require a minimum balance and may restrict the number of withdrawals made, but they do provide a good way keep funds on hand for unexpected surprises not involving visiting relatives or your daughter's elopement.

Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSAs): These accounts may be offered by your employer or health insurance company. They're designed to pay for healthcare expenses not covered by insurance. You agree to deposit a predetermined amount, and withdraw it as needed for co-pays, deductibles, and other non-covered (allowable) expenses. The good news is that the amount you contribute to an HSA is tax sheltered, but the bad news (and with anything involving taxes, we know there has to be bad news!) is that any amounts you don't spend by the plan's end date will be forfeited. Plan to contribute no more to an HSA than you reasonably expect to spend within the plan year.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs): Not those compact discs that replaced your cherished collection of classic rock albums stashed in a storage unit, these CDs are deposits that require commitment. Before you free spirits head for the hills, let us clarify that a CD requires a time commitment ranging from three months to several years. You can still flirt with and even acquire other investments! But while CDs aren't a good source of ready cash after you get tossed off a cliff or run over by a train, they do provide a good way to save for long-term healthcare expenses. All you have to do is roll your money into a new CD when the current one expires.

Anvils. Banana Peels. The ice on your driveway. UFOs. Whatever threatens your well-being, saving for healthcare expenses can help you survive without the intervention of your favorite super hero.