Benefit Strategies | Uncategorized

Politics, the Election and Health Care Converge

August 4th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Aug. 4, 2016 Now that the political conventions have concluded, it’s time to focus on the general election. It’s safe to say that this year’s version will be unlike any we’ve experienced in our lifetimes, regardless of your age. November’s election will bring change. We’ll.. 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

How Much Can Individuals Contribute to an HSA?

July 6th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Benefit Strategies LLC July is a popular month to begin a new medical benefit year. A growing number of employers are offering HSA-qualified medical plans, and often their benefit years start on a date other than January 1. In this paper, we focus on how.. 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 burdens… Read more

Nongroup Insurance Markets, They Are Imploding

June 9th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance June 9, 2016 Are nongroup (individual) medical insurance markets imploding before our eyes? That’s the conclusion that some observers are drawing following UnitedHealthcare’s decision not to continue to participate after this year in nongroup markets in most of the 34 states in which it sells products. In.. Read more

ACA’s Wardrobe Includes Many Suits

May 26th, 2016

By William G. (Bill) Stuart Director of Strategy and Compliance Benefit Strategies LLC A federal judge recently ruled in favor of House Republicans in a lawsuit that they brought against the Obama administration over a provision of the Affordable Care Act, or ACA. What does it mean? It’s too early to tell. At issue is the.. 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 Director.. Read more

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