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A free monthly newsletter for plan sponsors and employee benefits 
professionals published by The Benefit Services Group, Inc.

 

 December 2003
Volume 2, Number 9
 


Insurers Rush to Introduce Products Based on Medicare Law's Health Savings Accounts
EXCERPT: "With the drug benefit created by the comprehensive new Medicare reform law not slated to take effect until 2006, the first tangible effects of the new law may be the introduction of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) tied to commercial insurance products."
Full Article
December 15, 2003—Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS)

Health Savings Accounts: Medicare Reform Reshapes the Landscape for Active Employee Health Coverage
EXCERPT: "The Act added much-publicized prescription drug coverage to Medicare, and it includes special subsidies for employers who provide retiree prescription drug coverage. In addition, however, the Act includes what promises to be a blockbuster development in the delivery of health coverage to active employees-Health Savings Accounts ("HSAs"). HSAs represent a significant improvement of Archer Medical Savings Accounts ("MSAs"), and they offer an impressive list of attractive features..."
Full Article
December, 2003—Kilpatrick Stockton LLP 

Surprise Slow-Down in US Health Benefit Cost Increase
EXCERPT: "It would be whistling in the dark to celebrate a health benefit cost increase of 10.1% in a year in which general inflation barely cracked 2%. But after 2002's increase of nearly 15%, any sign that health benefit costs can be controlled is welcome – especially because higher increases were predicted."
Full Article
December 8, 2003—Mercer Human Resource Consulting 

Payers Refine Cost-Sharing Techniques to Target Patient Behavior, Treatment Choices
EXCERPT: "Over the next few years, health insurers and employers are expected to roll out narrowly targeted cost-sharing techniques that aim to influence patients' choices in behaviors, treatments and providers, with out-of-pocket maximums tied to enrollees' income levels. 
Researchers, insurance company executives and employee benefits consultants outlined five cost-sharing mechanisms likely to be embraced by payers in 2004 and beyond."
Full Article
December 8, 2003—Atlantic Information Services, Inc. (AIS)

Tax-Free Plans Could Alter Health Coverage
EXCERPT: "A provision of the Medicare bill Congress passed this week would allow workers to turn a health insurance feature they normally dislike -- a high deductible -- into tax-free savings that could grow to large sums over a lifetime. The measure would allow people under age 65 who buy medical policies with deductibles of at least $1,000 for a single person or $2,000 for a family to establish tax-free "health savings accounts." They, or their employers, could fund them each year with an amount equal to the deductible and the money could be used to pay health care expenses. If not needed, the money could be invested. The money going in would be pre-tax dollars and withdrawals for medical care would be tax-free. 
Full Article
November 27, 2003—The Washington Post 

 
Helping Health Care Consumers Take an Active Role

In an effort to help consumers make better health care decisions and to get them thinking about their own health care, the United Health Foundation is undertaking a major educational tips campaign. The campaign is running now and will continue through February 2004 in national magazines such as People, Oprah, Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Parade and TV Guide. In addition, the campaign features Internet-delivered, animated banner ads on Web sites such as ABCNews.com and Parents.com. The purpose of these educational tips is to support consumers in making more informed health care decisions based on evidence, and to enable them to take a more active role in their health care. 

In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Health Council and the National Patient Safety Foundation, these educational messages focus around three important themes: Getting the Most Out of a Visit to the Doctor's Office, Taking Charge of Your Care, and Using Antibiotics Appropriately. 

Non-profit organizations, employers, schools and libraries are encouraged to use the campaigns for their health improvement activities. Free distribution of the educational tips is available on the Foundation Web site. 

 

 

By providing links to other sites, The Benefit Services Group, Inc. does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to The Benefit Services Group, Inc.

The preceding is not intended to be and is not offered as legal advice. We are prohibited from the practice of law. Compliance is the responsibility of the employer or Plan sponsor and affected employees, who should seek their own legal counsel regarding questions about information presented in this newsletter.

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