Benefit Strategies | HSA General Information

The Changing HSA Administration Landscape

November 10th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Nov. 10, 2016 A dozen years ago, when HSAs were launched as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, a number of banks applied to become HSA trustees and custodians. Lured by the prospect of new assets under management, banks.. Read more

What’s better – an HRA or an HSA?

October 27th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance October 27, 2016 It’s a trick question. There is no clear answer. It’s like asking, “What’s a better vehicle – a pick-up truck or a compact sedan?” The answer in both cases depends on your current and projected needs, your budget and your preferences. Defining.. Read more

Managing Benefit Costs with an HRA/HSA Combination

October 13th, 2016

William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Oct. 13, 2016 Do you want to learn more about how Medicare impacts HSA eligibility or whether you can reimburse a domestic partner’s eligible expenses from your HSA? We’ve added a lot of new information to our website. You can access the HSA GPS Fact Sheet.. Read more

The Unlimited Possibilities of Limited-Purpose Health FSAs

September 15th, 2016

Have a question about HSAs that’s not answered below? We can help. You can view our new HSA FAQs here. Also, you can access Health Savings Account GPS, Benefit Strategies’ easy-to-understand explanation of HSA rules, here. By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Sept. 15, 2016 As most readers know, individuals covered by.. Read more

Transferring Balances into an HSA

August 18th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Aug. 18, 2016 HSA rules allow accountholders to move some funds from other tax-advantaged accounts into their HSAs. These rules give accountholders greater flexibility in managing their overall investment portfolio. They also reinforce the important notion that HSAs are an excellent savings and investment vehicle and.. Read more

Ten (+1) Great Reasons to Own an HSA

July 21st, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Benefit Strategies LLC July 28, 2016 From their inception as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, have provided a unique opportunity for average Americans to pay their increasing out-of-pocket costs for medical care more.. Read more

Premium Savings, Lower Taxes and Equity: What’s Not to Love?

June 23rd, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Benefit Strategies LLC Are you offering an HSA program to your employees? If not, here are three good reasons to think about this approach: Employers and employees save on premiums (sometimes without taking on additional out-of-pocket responsibility). Employers and employees reduce their tax.. Read more

A Time to Kill (HSAs)

May 12th, 2016

Author’s note: Since our last post, the IRS has issued the 2017 figures for statutory minimum annual deductible, statutory maximum out-of-pocket and HSA contributions limits. The only change from 2016 is an increase in the self-only HSA contribution limit from $3,350 to $3,400. For more information, please click here. By William G. (Bill) Stuart.. Read more

Category: HSA General Information