2011 HSA Rule Changes
The enactment of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (”PPACA”) on March 23, 2010, will have little impact on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), but here are two changes to be aware of:
Reimbursement for Over-the-Counter Drugs and Medicines
The definition of qualified medical expense for HSAs was amended to exclude over-the-counter drugs unless [...]
According to a new health census recently released by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), approximately 10 million Americans are covered by Health Savings Account-eligible insurance plans - an increase of 25% from last year. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were authorized starting in January 2004; since then, AHIP has conducted a periodic census of health plans [...]
BCBSNC offers free prevention and disease management programs to members of Blue Advantage. These confidential programs are designed to provide members with targeted information and services, which can help improve health as well as manage specific health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, tobacco cessation, weight management and more. Select programs are also available for children.
Members [...]
In 2010 the Medicare Supplement landscape will see some significant changes. With the addition of two new plans, comes the phase out of several current plans.
Many seniors are willing to accept some cost sharing method, such as co-pays and deductibles, in order to keep their Medicare Supplement premiums lower. As a result Blue Cross and Blue [...]
Thanks for coming back for part two of our health care reform discussion. Today, you will learn how health care refom will impact you as an individual. How you will be affected by the health care reform legislation varies greatly depending on your age, who you work for and many other factors. So what does it mean [...]
Health care reform. What does it mean and when will it happen? These are the two main questions we have been asked repeatedly over the past few weeks. With that in mind here is a look at some of the major health care reform provisions that you will see over the next decade.
2010
Employers: Small businesses can receive tax [...]
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of stroke in middle-aged and older adults, especially men, according to new results from a landmark study supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Overall, sleep apnea more than doubles the risk of stroke in men. Obstructive [...]
The Wall Street Journal (4/3, Adamy, subscription required) reported that HHS is asking states if they wish to participate in the high-risk insurance pools, which will help adults with pre-exiting conditions obtain coverage until 2014, when insurance exchanges will have been created. On Friday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent governors and insurance commissioners some of [...]
Over the past week, I have been asked by many clients and associates “what is the difference in the health-care plans for each candidate?” Many people believed that Obama was proposing a Universal or Socialized Plan or that McCain wanted to do away with group based health coverage (neither of which are true by the way).
The [...]
Last week, I was thrilled to see the U.S. take the top 2 positions in the women’s gymnastics all-around final at the Olympics. Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson, who took gold and silver, are both amazing athletes who have been two of the top gymnasts in the country for the past few years. Both started [...]
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