HSA Focalpoint

BearingPoint Predicts Rapid Expansion of Health Savings Accounts if Universal Health Coverage is Adopted.

BearingPoint - Feb 12, 2008

Most presidential candidates are mentioning plans that may parallel the state initiatives in California and Massachusetts, wherein the employer is required to offer coverage or pay into a pool for employees to secure such coverage. BearingPoint believes that this type of initiative would increase adoption of HDHPs (a.k.a. “low-premium” health plans) as a primary coverage vehicle, enabling more people to open accompanying save/spend/invest accounts - HSAs. (Read More)

Health Savings Accounts offer Great Tax Breaks.

Arizona Business Gazette - Feb 14, 2008

Health Savings Accounts are an excellent vehicle for taxpayers to use. Unfortunately, most people don’t have a clue how these work or why they are beneficial. (Read More)

Try Healthy Start on Saving for Old Age.

Daytona Beach news-journalonline.com - Feb 14, 2008

For the workers, the enticement is they get to keep whatever money they set aside for health expenses but don’t spend. The leftover amount can be rolled over from year to year for future health expenses. Once the worker reaches Medicare age, it can be spent on other things, with no tax penalty. (Read More)

Point to Point: The HSA Advantage.

The American Surveyor - Feb 15, 2008

Very few actions taken by a firm can generate rave reviews by employees and management alike, but HSAs are one of them. (Read More)

First Horizon Msaver President E. Craig Keohan to Speak at the CDHC Expo to be held March 3-5.

Powering the movement toward consumer-driven health care, the 2008 CDHC Expo will bring together employers, banks, account custodians, and providers to help shape the future of the industry. Msaver is a sponsor of the conference to be held March 3-5 in Las Vegas, and E. Craig Keohan, president of Msaver, will be speaking twice during the conference. (Learn More)

President Bush is Proposing Six Changes to HSAs.

President Bush is proposing six changes to make Health Savings Accounts more flexible and give individuals and employers more options in structuring coverage:

* Health plans with 50% coinsurance would qualify as a high-deductible health plan and would be HSA-eligible.

* People would have more time to set up their HSAs since funds could be used to pay for medical expenses incurred on or after the first day of HSA eligibility in a year, even if the account hasn’t actually been set up yet.

* Employers would be able to make larger HSA contributions for employees with chronic illnesses.

* Deductibles would be adjusted to make them more family-friendly.

* If both spouses are eligible as individuals for HSAs, they both could make catch-up contributions to one of their HSAs.

* Employees would be able to contribute to an HSA, even if they are covered by a Health Reimbursement Arrangement and Flexible Spending Account.

All of these proposals are responding to requests to make HSAs more attractive to employers and individuals. The administration’s Fiscal 2009 Budget outlines these proposals and rationale on pages 19-26. (Read More)

Switching Jobs? Play It Smart With Health Benefits.

TheStreet.com - Feb 2, 2008

If you have a health spending account — a flexible spending account, a health-savings account or a health-reimbursement account — with your current employer, it’s important to pay attention to the details of the plan before you change jobs. (Read More)

Website May Spark Change in Medical Economics.

StarTribune.com - Jan 27, 2008

Carol.com and the copycats it inspires could profoundly affect how Americans buy health care. (Read More)

First Horizon Msaver Named Winner of Best Consumer-Directed Health Care Card Program

First Horizon Msaver has been named by Paybefore Awards 2008 Winner of Best CDHC Card Program for its Health Savings Account (HSA) program. The Best of Category winner will be announced during the Annual Industry Awards Dinner at the Prepaid Card expo on March 4, 2008.

Last year, Msaver picked up two awards at the industry awards dinner. One was for Most Innovative CDCH Bank and a second award went to Msaver President, E. Craig Keohan, recognizing his industry leadership.

Health Plans Want you to Take Control

Miamiherald.com - Jan 27, 2008
Many businesses have determined that to compete in a global economy, they must keep a lid on healthcare costs — currently rising at twice the rate of inflation. Hoping to reduce their benefit costs, businesses are offering plans that give employees more control over prevention, treatment — and costs. (Read More)

Health Groups Weigh In On Reform Efforts

National Underwriter - Jan 30, 2008
Agent associations are welcoming the attention President Bush gave to health insurance Monday during his State of the Union address.

Bush called during the speech for expanding the health savings account program, giving individuals who buy their own health insurance the same tax breaks that employers get, giving the information they need to make better health care purchasing decisions, setting up an association health plan program, and curbing medical malpractice suits. (Read More)

NBGH Supports Individual Health Insurance Mandate

Business Insurance - Jan 30, 2008
The National Business Group on Health, a consortium of around 300 of the nation’s largest employers, has come out in support of legislation that would require individuals to buy health insurance coverage for themselves and their dependent children. (Read More)

Things probably look a bit different around here! We are about to push out a complete overhaul of the First Horizon Agent Portal. If you have any questions or issues, remember to contact our Broker Support Team:

Matt Mason @ 1-866-889-8583 ext 42087
Kelly Spencer @ 1-866-889-8583 ext 42050

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