Need to Know Regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) in 2011

Effective January 1, 2011, you will no longer be able touse your health savings account (HSA) dollars to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines at a pharmacy, supermarket or other retail store without a prescription from your doctor. If you have a health care debit card you can still use it ot pay for the prescription medicines, including insulin, if those are eligible expenses under an employer's health plan. If you have a prescription for an OTC medicine, such as Zyrtec or Prilosec, and use your HSA to pay for it you will need to keep copies of the prescription and receipt for the purchase with your tax records.

Beginning January 1, 2011, if your HSA is used to pay for items or services that are not qualified medical expenses, the IRS penalty will increase from 10 percent to 20 percent of the HSA dollars used.

Information provided from UnitedHealthcare November 2010

Important Grandfather Rule Change Will Impact You

On November 15, 2010, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury made an amendment to current Grandfathering rules. Previously, one of the ways an employer group health plan could lose its grandfather status was if the employer changed issuers – switching from one insurance company to another.

The amendment allows employers to switch insurance companies and shop for the same coverage at a lower cost while maintaining their grandfathered status, so long as the structure of the coverage doesn’t violate one of the other rules for maintaining grandfathered plan status.

What does this mean for you?
You will now have greater leeway to compare and purchase plans from carriers other than the one in force without losing grandfathered status.

Are you opting for a High Deductible Health Plan?

According to the LA Times November 2010-
Rising costs lead to a nearly threefold increase in the number of workers covered by the policies since 2006.
Health experts worry about consumers who forgo preventive care. Is this you?
Looking to save money in a weak economy, Americans increasingly are turning to health insurance plans with low premiums and high deductibles — prompting doctors and health experts to worry that consumers may be skipping routine care that could head off serious ailments. Nationally, the number of workers with individual deductibles of at least $1,000 has nearly tripled over the last four years, reaching about 20 million, according to a recent survey of employers. Some have pushed their deductibles as high as $10,000, and, to keep medical bills low, are forgoing colonoscopies, blood tests and other preventive procedures.
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How will the 2010 Election Results and Health Care Reform Affect You?

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CHOOSE A HEALTH CARE PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE!

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Few things are more important than safeguarding your family’s health. With so many providers raising premiums and reducing benefits how do you get the adequate coverage for what you are paying for?

Ask yourself these five key questions to find the best care for your budget. More ... To Receive a copy of our November ENewsletter email us at acctmgr@mycbainc.com

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