HSA Focalpoint

The (6.1) Million HSA March.

benefitsellingmag.com, January, 2009
Msaver president addresses questions about how the new political environment will affect health care policy and, specifically, how it will impact the future of health savings accounts and consumer-driven health care. (Read More)

What’s New (Or Improved) In Health Sites.

onlinewsj.com, January 7, 2009
The Internet has long drawn people seeking information about health care. Last year, health Web sites drew about 72 million unique visitors, up 14% from a year earlier, according to comScore Inc., an online-marketing research firm that tracks some 200 such sites. Such strong growth comes as sites increasingly focus on some of today’s leading consumer health concerns, including prescription-drug safety, quality of care, and the ability to network with other patients facing similar health problems. (Read More)

WellPoint Is Latest Blues Plan to Invest in Medical Tourism.

aishealth.com, January 7,  2009
WellPoint, Inc.’s decision in November to launch an international medical tourism pilot with Serigraph, Inc. reflects rising costs for domestic surgery and the potential for international medical centers to provide quality care at a lower cost. (Read More)

 Health care spending slowed in 2007, government report finds.

thenewstribune.com, January 6,  2009
The slower growth rate continues a trend that began in 2002. Health spending continued to eat up an increasing share of nation’s gross domestic product, growing from 16 percent in 2006 to 16.2 percent in 2007. Medical spending growth still outpaces overall economic growth, which increased only 4.8 percent in 2007. (Read More)

Maryland Could be First to Adopt Fitness Legislation.

ahiphiwire.com, January 6,  2009
Bill would would allow state residents to use flex-spending and health savings accounts to purchase fitness club memberships and equipment, would show that “we want our citizens to take care of themselves.”
(Read More)

Your Opinion Counts!
We want to know what you think. Click here to complete a short survey about HSAs.

Direct Deposit for your Quarterly Referral Fees.

You can now have your First Horizon Msaver quarterly referral fees directly deposited into your bank account. Simply fill out the Electronic Funds Transfer Form and send it to our office along with a voided check.

First Horizon Msaver, Inc

7400 W 110 St, Ste 520

Overland Park, KS 66210

Please note that if you choose to have your referral fee direct deposited, you will continue to receive the account breakdowns each quarter for your records.

Steady Consumer Driven Health Growth is Expected for 2009: ICDC/ISCEBS Survey.

iscebs.com
Employee benefits consultants are optimistic that consumer-directed health (CDH) will continue to see steady growth in 2009 and could even become part of health reform efforts, according to the fourth annual survey conducted by Inside Consumer-Directed Care and ISCEBS. However, employers’ and employees’ limited understanding about the plans remains a key barrier to the acceptance of the plans. Despite these concerns, many respondents were optimistic that enrollment will continue to grow as employers become more comfortable with the price setting and employees gain a better understanding of the potential cost-saving benefits. Read the full survey results here.

Small Business Leaders Report Growing Success With Consumer Driven Health Benefit Programs.

hsafinder.com, December,  2008
A majority of smaller companies (54%) surveyed by Information Strategies, Inc. (ISI), recently said they were either contemplating or already had adopted a consumer directed health (CDH) offering for employees.At the same time, ISI found that nearly half (46%) of all individuals who responded to its monthly surveys were thinking of purchasing a Health Savings Account (HSA) offering or are already participating in another CDH program. (Read More)

George Will: If you Think Health Care is Expensive…

Townhall.com, January 1,  2009
Suppose, says Leavitt, buying a car were like getting a knee operation. The dealer would say he does not know the final cumulative price, so just select a car and begin using it. Then a blizzard of bills would begin to arrive — from the chassis manufacturer, the steering-wheel manufacturer, the seat and paint manufacturers. The dealership would charge for time spent there, and a separate charge would cover the salesperson’s time. (Read More)

2009 HSA Contribution Limits.

firsthorizonmsaver.com, January 1,  2009

The IRS recently issued guidance outlining the maximum annual contributions for health savings accounts (HSAs) for calendar years 2008 and 2009 [Rev. Proc. 2007-36].

 Previously, the maximum contribution was calculated as the lesser of the deductible of the accompanying high deductible health plan or the indexed statutory amount. However, the Health Opportunity Patient Empowerment Act of 2006 specified that the maximum annual contribution is the indexed statutory amount for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006 .

 The annual contribution limit on deductions is as follows:

 * Calendar year 2008: $2,900 for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan and $5,800 for an individual with family coverage.

* Calendar year 2009: $3,000 for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan and $5,950 for an individual with family coverage.

 For calendar year 2009, a “high deductible health plan” is one that has:

 * An annual deductible of at least $1,150 for self-only coverage or $2,300 for family coverage, and

* Annual out-of-pocket expenses up to $5,800 for self-only coverage or $11,600 for family coverage. (Read More)

Your Opinion Counts!
We want to know what you think. Click here to complete a short survey about HSAs.

Direct Deposit for your Quarterly Referral Fees.
You can now have your First Horizon Msaver quarterly referral fees directly deposited into your bank account. Simply fill out the Electronic Funds Transfer Form and send it to our office along with a voided check.First Horizon Msaver, Inc
7400 W 110 St, Ste 520
Overland Park, KS 66210Please note that if you choose to have your referral fee direct deposited, you will continue to receive the account breakdowns each quarter for your records.