Today's Benefit News for Schools & Unions

Last Updated September 19, 2007

9/19/2007 - Florida School board mulls new medical insurance plan for employees
Teachers and employees of Santa Rosa County Schools will have a new option for their health insurance next year. This program will include not only Blue Cross - Blue Shield coverage, but also a Health Savings Account, with the school district paying half the deductible for each employee.

9/5/07 OH - Sycamore Board of Education approves contract, adopts HSA
The Sycamore Board of Education approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with OAPSE (Ohio Association of Public School Employees) Local 243 during a special meeting Aug. 29.

8/28/07 Rhode Island Teacher Union Suggests HSA Health Plan but criticized by District - Mullen, the union president, said teachers are eager to get negotiations behind them and settle into the new school year. The School Committee president, had criticized the teachers’ most recent offer as too expensive. She said it failed to support claims of significant savings in an alternate health-insurance plan with a high deductible and health savings account.

Michigan Districts look to cut insurance bills through health savings accounts
Superintendent Bob Smith estimates his district will save more than $200,000 on health insurance in 2008 by moving to a health savings account plan. The Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Board of Education and the Laker Education Association agreed to the plan as part of a new teacher contract ratified in March. The district joins a small, but growing, number of employers in the public and private sectors using the accounts, according to the U.S. Treasury.

8/19/2007 Michigan School districts report saving money in insurance pool
School districts that banded together to form a regional health insurance pool in southwest Michigan say they are saving an average of 7 percent on insurance costs, and the number of districts in the pool has jumped from nine to 29. A consultant working with the pool members says his company now is exploring similar ventures in other parts of Michigan.

8/15/07 - Akron Ohio school board OKs teachers' contract
The Akron school board this morning approved a contract that will give teachers raises, while saving the district $1.5 million in health-care costs. A committee of administrators and representatives of each of the district's bargaining units will decide on health care concessions for next year.How can you determine the savings if you haven't agreed on the concessions?

8/13/07 - Aurora teachers receive pay raise, pay more for health care
Aurora teachers will receive 2 percent salary increases in each of two years of a new contract that begins Sept. 1. The labor pact approved over the weekend by the Aurora school board calls for concessions in prescription coverage.Superintendent Russ Bennett said the change expected to save the district $200,000 over the two-year period ''allowed us to offer the 2-percent'' increase in wages. Sadly, a HSA plan could have saved them $500,000+

8/8/07 - Update on Ohio House Bill 66

7/30/07 - TROY, MI- Firefighters OK contract with city - The Uniformed Firefighters Association overwhelmingly ratified a contract proposal that includes adopting a HSA health plan.

5/31/07 - Towns shift health burden - Area towns are reining in the cost of health insurance for their employees by adopting coverage plans with higher co-payments for doctor visits. The changes have to be approved by employee unions,

5/30/07 - UAW should take a tip from Bucyrus workers - Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers, could make the spun-off Chrysler Corp. successful, at no disadvantage to his members.He just has to follow the lead of Steelworkers Local 1343 at Bucyrus International, which went along with CEO Tim Sullivan into a mandatory consumer-driven health plan.

5/16/07 - Unions, county agree to health plan
MANITOWOC — Union-represented county employees voted on Monday to accept health insurance coverage projected to save county government about $1.1 million in 2008

5/11/07 - County unions set vote on health, labor agreements - Manitowoc,WI - Cornils said county government and county employees each would reduce their health-care expenses in 2008 if all unions approve the health savings account ...

4/27/07 - Teachers rally for contract -Royal Oak,MI
Teachers rallied Thursday for a contract they say needs to keep their medical benefits intact and their profession attractive to bright college graduates.

4/25/07 - Wagner’s insurance bill headed to Senate- Tiffin,OH,USAA second part of the bill would create the option for the city to allow the self-employed to take a deduction for a health-savings account, Wagner said.

Election tosses insurance plan into confusion
11/2/06 The law creating a mandatory state pool for all school employee health insurance is not effective now, but may spring into effect in June 2007, a state official said Oct. 26.

Bethel teachers' pay up, benefits down
10/31/06 -A new three-year contract gives teachers a pay hike each year but requires them to pay higher health insurance premiums.The contract, which goes into effect July 1, 2007, calls for salary increases of 3.5 percent in each of the first two years of the agreement and 2.6 percent in the third year.

School leaders struggle to take control of soaring health care costs
05/09/06 — School administrators have named health care costs the number-one issue that stalls contract bargaining. According to the National Health Care Coalition, expenditures rose by nearly 8 percent between 2002 and 2003. The cost of employer health insurance premiums rose by 11.2 percent in 2004 and by nearly 10 percent in 2005

Governor Bob Taft Signed Rep. Schaffer’s Sub-House Bill 46 for HSAs
Columbus, OH May 18, 2006 - Governor Bob Taft signed Sub-House Bill 46, which permits political subdivisions to offer and make contributions to health savings accounts for employees. The Bill was sponsored by Representative Tim Schaffer.

Analysis: Docs wary of HSA cash-based care
Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Health savings accounts are an inevitable part of the "new normal" in a changing U.S. healthcare system, health industry representatives said Wednesday, but while companies are enthused about shifting more of health care costs to their workers, proponents of HSAs are having a tougher time convincing doctors,hospitals and ultimately, consumers, that healthcare on a cash basis is a good idea.
EXCELLENT ARTICLE

A truce on minimum wage and health savings accounts?
Two deeply partisan issues, the president's expansion of tax-advantaged health savings accounts and Democrats'

Medical News Today: Maine Health Care Flame Out
Mentioned: Tarren Bragdon, director of health reform initiatives at the Maine Heritage Policy Center, and Adam Brackemyre, assistant director of legislative affairs for the Council for Affordable Health Insuranc

Treasury Chief Says HSAs Are Working
The Bush administration continues to tout Health Savings Accounts as a means of reducing healthcarecosts.Last week, Treasury Secretary John Snow visited Associated Material Handling Industries in Carol Stream, Illinois, which will be offering HSAs as a health-coverage option to their employees beginning this summer.

Health savings accounts can boost employees’ bottom line
The open season to choose a new health plan is over for the year, and if results are typical, most federal employees chose not to choose, opting to stay where they were. But advisers say that if federal employees do a better job tracking their out-of-pocket spending over the course of this year, review previous years’ experiences and compare plans next open season, they might come out ahead financially by switching.

Bush Outlines Health Care Plan in OHIO
Health care savings accounts are catching on at Wendy's. Wednesday, the president came to the Dublin headquarters to talk about the accounts that do three things.Health savings account an option, not a cure
President Bush's prescription for out-of-control health costs is health savings accounts, which give consumers a tax break for taking more responsibility for their medical care.

Health Savings Accounts Discussed
Al Hubbard Al Hubbard, Director of the National Economic Council, discussed Health Savings Accounts and affordable and accessible health care Tuesday.

New UnitedHealthcare Agreement Gives Cuyahoga and Wayne County Employees Wide Range of Healthcare Options - On January 1, 2006, employees of Cuyahoga County and Wayne County received a New Year's present in the form of a new healthcare agreement between the counties and UnitedHealthcare, allowing them to choose their in-network healthcare provider from all the major hospitals in the Cleveland and Akron areas for the firsttime in years.

Health savings accounts good deal, for now
Ask the Worthington Board of Education whether health savings accounts are a good deal and there is no ambiguity about the answer: As employers, the board found the concept so appealing that it passed along most of its resulting cost savings to its employees and still considers itself ahead of the game. Finally, an article that deals with reality and not theory!!! Thank you Michael Maurer

Health Savings Accounts Work
In December 2003, President Bush signed a health-care law that had two major components. The first was the new Medicare prescription drug benefit that took effect last month. That big-government program has been widely panned as a disaster. The second was a new health insurance option called health savings accounts, orHSAs, which became available in January 2004.

Consumer-driven? Bad idea - Beware health care cost-cutting measures like tax deductions, HSAs
The Bush administration and Republicans in Congress are now proposing ways to cut health care costs. With 1.3 million North Carolinians lacking health insurance -- most because they can't afford it - Will any writer discuss the truth about HSAs?

Economist bashes Bush HSA proposal
President Bush's health savings account (HSA)plan will mean income-based healthcare rationing, an economist said Tuesday. "Should healthcare be cheaper for high-income people?" asked Princeton economics professor Uwe Reinhart at the National Health Policy Conference in Washington. I wish I had time to respond to another libral economist bashing HSAs. Instead of criticism, I wish the critics would have some alternative ideas.

CIGNA Study Provides New Insights on Consumer Decision-making in HSA Health Plans
A CIGNA HealthCare analysis of 42,200 first-time users of consumer-driven health plans found these consumers generated an eight percent reduction in medical costs and made positive changes in health behavior, such as increasing their use of medications to treat chronic health care conditions.

Medicaid savings accounts expected by next year
Charleston, SC- Governor Mark Sanford announced Thursday that health savings accounts for Medicaid patients should be in place by next January.

How to Get Your Health-Care Coverage
Not getting insurance through your employer? Here are some tips on alternative methods to help you lower theexpense

Bush promotes health savings accounts
President Bush pledged Tuesday to slow the rising cost of health care by making it easier for individuals and small businesses to buy insurance, mainly by encouraging the use of tax-free health savings accounts.Why is every critic of HSA plans either a politician or part of a Washington Think Tank?

Savings accounts the latest in health plan options
We're going to start hearing a lot about health savings accounts. They'll be a cornerstone of the large health care section in tonight's State of the Union Address, and Congressional majority leaders support them.

Rossiter looks at Bush's health care proposals
Noted health economist Louis Rossiter, director of the College’s Schroeder Center for Health Care Policy, formerSecretary of Health and Human Resources in Virginia discussed the expected proposals and their likely impact on the country, the health care industry and for the state of Virginia with the W&M News.

KENNEDY PUTS FORTH HEALTH CARE REFORM - "MEDICARE FOR ALL" WILL SAVE BILLIONS
And Cost Billions!!!!!
Senator Kennedy will put forward real health care reform that would give quality affordable health care for all Americans. America’s health care system is the most economically inefficient in the industrial world. Kennedy’s plan would fix our fractured system of care, by extending Medicare to all Americans, from birth to the end of life, while allowing any American who wishes to stay in their current employer-sponsored plan to do so. Under Kennedy’s bill, employers can tailor their health plans to provide additional services to their employees that wrap around Medicare coverage. - If this plan would ever become law, I would move to France, and get my healthcarein Canada. I can't believe that Kennedy honestly believes this would work......

WSJ: Interview with President Bush
The Wall Street Journal: Obviously, health care is something that has moved back to the top of the agenda. You've got employers and employees both equally concerned about cost and availability. What's the approach going to be this year, philosophically and specifically?

KENNEDY: BUSH’S HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WILL MAKE A BAD SITUATION WORSE
Just like lying and trying to cover up a accident....Washington, DC: After five years of ignoring our nation's healthcare crisis, President Bush is expected to announce at the State of the Union proposals to encourage health savings accounts (HAS). Kennedy is at it again trying to spread flat out lies about HSAs. Ironic that his home state is one of the largest adaptors of HSA health plans

Savings Accounts for Health Costs Attract Wall St.
When it comes to medical benefits, millions of Americans already have a health insurer. Soon, many will also have a debit card and a bank tied to their medical plan.

HSAs Triple in 10 Months
Preliminary results of a new survey by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) reveal that over 3 million Americans currently receive their health coverage through an HSA eligible health plan.

Prognosis Is Mixed for Health Savings
President Bush has made "consumer-directed" health savings plans a cornerstone of his policy for addressingrunaway medical costs, and he plans to push them again in the State of the Union address next week. But so far there is little evidence that the approach is helping many consumers come to grips with the high price of health care. - A Classic anti-HSA article from the NY Times. Freudenheim Continues His Efforts to Discredit HSAs.

Sen. Clinton re-enters health care fray
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton put her pet issue, health care, at the center of her Senate re-election effort Monday, accusing the Bush administration of "deliberate neglect" of the issue. "One of the bills I've introduced is to make sure the pharmacists get reimbursed."
How is this helping consumers? Hillary is at it again!

A blueprint for health-care freedomThe White House has been dropping hints that the president will make health-care reform the centerpiece of his State of the Union address. The Bush administration's health care record is, to put it delicately, inconsistent.

Bush wants tax breaks for health costs
President will use State of the Union address to push for more deductions on out-of-pocket medical expenses.

LA Times: Bush Proposals to Revive the U.S. Health Care Debate
Mentioned: "There's no reason to have a separate Medicare and Medicaid arrangement if you had these souped-up HSAs," Hubbard said.

Bloomberg: Hassett: It's Time to Face Up to the U.S. Medicare Crisis
According to the most recent Medicare trustees report, the present value of the program's obligations -- what Medicare will have to pay over an infinite time period in today's dollars -- totals $68.1 trillion.

Bush considering tax breaks for health care
By David Jackson, USA TODAY
President Bush is weighing proposals for new tax breaks for health care costs, which will be a major topic of next week's State of the Union address, a top economic adviser to the president said Tuesday.

People need Health Savings Accounts--not social medicine
As the lead Republican on the Assembly Health Committee, I have had the
opportunity to work closely with my colleagues on many proposals to improve
California's health care system.

Cargill offers farmers health accounts
Farm families will have an opportunity to participate in health savings accounts through a new program offeredby Cargill AgHorizons. Cargill is collaborating with Wells Fargo to offer Harvest Health, a health savings account. This is such a sham thanks for nothing Cargill

In defense of health savings accounts
Ezra Klein, in an effort to preemptively spin President Bush’s anticipated State of the Union health care subject, gives us a rather sloppy analysis of the Health Savings Accounts (HSA) :

Health Savings Accounts Not Attracting Many, But Boomers Biggest Buyers
Bush expected to add new incentives in state of the union
I guess this dispells the myth that HSAs are only for the healthy and young!

Employers Target Bad Habits for Insurance Coverages
At Bank of Geneva, a community bank in northeast Indiana, employees get a $500 break on their $3,000 annualhealth insurance deductible if they don't smoke.And the potential upside doesn't end there: Workers who keep their weight, blood pressure and cholesterol in check can earn another $1,500 in annual credits.

More and more financial institutions and their systems suppliers are seeking a piece of the HSA action
US banks are deciphering the health savings account (HSA) opportunity; banking system vendors are doing the same. Fiserv, Metavante, and other players are rushing to market with HSA services in these early days of healthcare banking in the US.

Cargill offers health deal -Farmers get medical-account cash in exchange for promise to sell crops
Cargill is bringing back a distant echo of that rural bartering system. Today it's unveiling a program that lets farmers swap a pledge to deliver some of next season's crop to Cargill, in exchange for Cargill depositing money into farmers' health savings accounts. As my Grandfather told me, nothing in this world is free.

Cargill offers health accounts to farmers - Wichita,KS,USA
offered by Cargill risk management subsidiary AgHorizons in partnership with Wells Fargo, will help America's farm families fund a health savings account.

Legislator plans to bring competition, choices to state of Washington
OLYMPIA -- Rep. Bill Hinkle, 13th District, feels the majority of legislators are heading down the wrong road when it comes to health care, and will continue working on number of bills in the coming session to bring competition and choice back to the state.

Cranston, union agree on HSA plan
In what city officials say is a first for a New England municipality, the city of Cranston and Teamsters Local 251,which represents 160 mostly white-collar workers, have agreed to a new contract that includes an HSA-eligible health plan as one of two coverage options.

Bank Tech News: The HSA Race is On
analyst are pinning the value of HSA accounts in next five years at between $10 billion and $62 billion.The race is on, because analyst are pinning the value of HSA accounts in next five years at between $10 billion and $62 billion. The number of accountholders may be between six million and 15 million, giving processors plenty of traffic and providing a ripe market for banks or insurers to bulk up assets under management.

USHEALTH Group Announces the Continuance of 6.15% Interest on HSA Account Balances for 2006First HSA in 2005 in conjunction with the purchase in 2005 of a qualified single deductible health insurance plan underwritten by one of USHEALTH Group's insurance subsidiaries.
(Great rate, but the cost of their insurance plans wipes out the higher then average interest rate. Nice try guys.

Saying 'no' to traditional health insurance - New Hampshire
A successful entrepreneur who has co-founded four high-technology start-ups since 1989, Mark Galvin has seen the cost of providing employee health insurance with traditional third-party payers more than double over the last five years.

Consumer-driven health sees big jump
Anyone who's still convinced that consumer-driven health care is a fad should talk to Marcus Merz.
CEO of PreferredOne, a Golden Valley-based health-benefits administrator, Merz says 70 percent of its employerclients will offer a plan in 2006 with a deductible of more than $1,000. That's much higher than typical deductibles historically.

Business rallies against health-care tax in Mass
Newly formed Massachusetts Businesses for Real Healthcare Reform launched a $200,000 ad campaign aimed at building public opposition to a proposal that would impose a payroll tax to help state pay for health care costs

Alegent Health Employees Have Turned to a Health-Care Plan Designed to Contain Costs and Improve Their health
There was no relationship between the cost of health care and how much his family used the system. He wanted to be a better steward of medical resources, but like most insured Americans, he didn't even have ballpark figures for medical costs."The underlying attitude is, 'I've already paid for it,'" he said. "I'm paying $400 a month forhealth care. Who cares how much it costs?"

Study looks at who's using new health plans
Typical users of HSAs are younger, wealthier & healthier; go to the doctor less often than people enrolled in traditional comprehensive health insurance plans, according to a study by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Wall Street Journal - Consumer Choice: Can It Cure The Nation's Health-Care Ills?
Consumers are increasingly being asked to bear more of the costs and responsibility of their health care, in a growing trend called consumer-driven health care (CDHC).
(You don't need to read the entire article for the answer, NO)

Paychex Introduces Health Savings Account ProductThe Paychex Health Savings Account (HSA) is available to Paychex small business payroll clients, as well as clients of Paychex Premier(sm) Human Resources ...
(Paychex, started offering HSAs in mid Dec 2005, charges $8 per person, per month and a $500 setup fee-Note to everyone, DO NOT PAY MORE THEN $25 per year!!!!!!!)

Blue Cross Study Finds That Consumers With These Plans Use Fewer Health Services
Health services utilization is lower among enrollees of Options Blue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota's consumer-directed health plan, than those enrolled in other plans, reports the
state's largest health insurer.

Workers like old health plans -Many firms use the new plans for cheaper premiumsNew-style workplace health insurance plans that impose high costs on consumers are drawing increased attention from employers. But a new nationwide survey shows that employees enrolled in them are skeptical.

Consumer-driven health plans struggle
The Banta Corp. is hardly unique in its struggle with health care costs rising at double-digit rates, but it is taking a highly unusual step to contain them.

In the Dark on Medical Pricing
Consumers often aren't getting the information they need to find the best healthcare deal. Think shopping for a big-screen TV is tough? Try finding the best mammogram reader in your neighborhood or the cheapest place for a checkup.

Consumer Group to Open Bank
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Assn. is expected to announce today that it will start a bank to handle health savings accounts and other financial tools popular with customers enrolled in "consumer-directed" health plans. About 400,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield customers are enrolled in consumer-directed plans, the biggest revolution to hit healthcare since HMOs. "

Health Plan Costs Come Under Fire
At a hearing in L.A., Garamendi grills insurance company executives about why premiums have soared 60% in four years. Concerned that some health insurers may be price gouging to boost profits, California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said Thursday that he might seek to raise the percentage of premium dollars that, by regulation, must be spent on healthcare.

31 Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliates to open their own bank
Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies across the country want to charter their own bank to capitalize on business generated by tens of millions of members who have or plan to open health savings accounts as theygain popularity.

American Express and WellChoice Announce Agreement to Offer New Healthcare Payment Solution
-American Express and WellChoice, Inc announce new card - (CONSUMERS - What they are actually offering is a credit card for medical expenses. Be afraid, be very afraid!!)

Employers adopting consumer driven health plans to cut costs
The Banta Corp. is hardly unique in its struggle with health care costs rising at double-digit rates, but is taking a highly unusual step to contain them.

American Bank First to Offer Health Savings Accounts in the Lehigh
American Bank's Health Savings Account has an industry-leading 3.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on balances of $1,000 or more! Great what is your APY and fees for accounts under $1000?

First Niagara Bank Establishes Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as Early Market Entrant
After two years and 200 other providers, I would not classify them as an early entrant!

Reform insurance for health care
I switched to a HSA with a $2,500 deductible, but within one year, the rates went up twice, for a total of 37 percent. (Another article that goes no where)

Health accounts spreading - Complex plans save money for consumers, businesses
This article is a great example of a writer who has no clue about HSAs. Its good for comic relief!

Health savings accounts hold allure for banks
HSAs could attract $75 billion in asssets by 2010. U.S. Bancorp, Wells Fargo and UnitedHealth all would love a piece of that pie.

Aetna enters Florida market
One of the nation's largest health care insurers is setting up a network in Tallahassee as it moves into the Florida market.

Survey Shows Health Savings Accounts with HDHPs Gaining Traction in Marketplace
After initial skepticism from employers, the concept of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) coupled with High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) is beginning to gain traction in the marketplace,

Benefits Surprise -Group coverage too pricey? Individual policies are better than you think
Then his carrier upped his premiums by 50% two years in a row, and Barnall had to dump his group plan. But he didn't leave his employees in the lurch.

New health plans shift burden - from New Jersey
They are called high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts. Fancy words for a simple concept: They put consumers on the hook for a big chunk of their own health expenses.

The revolution of Steve Case
He built AOL, bought Time Warner and saw it all come crashing down. Now he’s going to save the healthcare system - He Hopes!

Health savings accounts catching on
Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Nearly half of U.S. businesses recently surveyed said they now have in place next-generation health plans like health savings accounts or would soon offer them. Of 316 employers polled, 43 percent said they currently offer their workforce a so-called consumer-driven health plan (22 percent)

India luring Westerners with low-cost surgeries
NEW DELHI – After his third heart attack, 60-year-old Carlo Gislimberti faced a terrible choice.Unable to get health insurance since 1992, the New Mexico restaurateur could get surgery in Albuquerque for $120,000. Or he could "wait on fortune's limb" for five years until he was eligible for Medicare.

Insurers turning to 'consumer-driven' care to curb health costs
LOS ANGELES - The future of health coverage may look more like the Home Shopping Network than "E.R."

New plans worry hospitals
Concern grows that consumer-driven coverage will cost them. Detroit area hospitals are worried that the latest “cure” for high health costs may dump extra costs at their doorstep. Southeast Michigan employers are adopting so-called consumer-driven health plans — benefit plans that combine high deductibles and co-pays with special medical savings accounts for employees.

HSA Insider Sold
November 14, 2005 – Canopy Financial announced today that it has acquired HSA Insider, Inc., the leading destination for millions of consumers and businesses seeking information and tools needed to reduce rising healthcare costs.

HSA Bank Statistics Show Accountholders Saving
From the more than 60,000 new HSAs opened with HSA Bank in 2005, more than 63 percent saving at least half of the funds contributed.

HSA Trustee Services Adds OptionsXpress for HSA Investment Options
Many customers seek to grow their HSA accounts for the future, and we are very pleased to be able to offer a full discount brokerage platform to them,” said Tim Morales of HSA Trustee Services.
(Look for a new article from Great Lakes HSA about the mutual fund option -We don't think it is the best choice for HSAs)

Health Plan Premium Price Sensitivity seen Among Federal Employees
Washington Post - Health care analysts say never judge health insurance by price alone. But an increasing number of government employees and retirees have signaled that they are willing to switch insurance plans when they think premiums are too high.

Year-end insurance challenge
NorthJersey.com - Hackensack - One of the big questions for Falk is whether to choose a plan with a health savings account, or HSA - a type of insurance that, because of its lower premiums ...

Few smiles lately at Wal-Mart
Kansas City Star - MO,USA -One of the most momentous of Wal-Mart's moves was to embrace the health savings account, which encourages workers to pay more minor medical expenses from a ...

Shake-up envisioned in health insurance
Boston Globe - United States - at Tufts Health Plan, which currently has about 10,000 enrollees in its Liberty plan, a high-deductible option that is coupled with a health savings account.


2006 HSA Contribution Limits Announced
The Treasury Dept. and IRS have recently issued new guidance for 2006 on the minimum and maximum contribution levels for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and out-of-pocket spending limits for high deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) that must be used in conjunction with HSAs.

2005 Consumer's Guide to Selecting a HSA Provider
This article will address the most important features employers and consumers should be looking for in a HSA, while also providing a list of questions that will help them find the provider with the highest level of service and product knowledge at a reasonable price.

Walmart's HSA Plan - Something to Copy or Avoid?
Great Lakes HSA provides a brief analysis of Wal-mart's HSA plan and what companies can learn from the design and features of the plan.

WSJ Examines Wellness Programs at Dow Chemical
Oct 25, 2005 The Wall Street Journal on Monday examined efforts at Dow Chemical to reduce health care costs by encouraging healthy habits among employees. According to the Journal, Dow has $40 billion in annual revenue and 43,000 employees. Its annual health care costs are $750 million, including medical costs of employees and retirees, safety programs, mental health benefits,

Wal-Mart to offer Health Insurance and HSAs
NY Times - Oct 24, 2005 - Wal-Mart, which has long been criticized for the benefits it offers to its workers, is introducing a cheaper health insurance plan, with monthly premiums as low as $11, that the company hopes will greatly increase the number of its employees who can afford coverage.

General Motors Corp. is rolling out that option this fall during open-enrollment time for 2006.
Detroit Free Press - Oct 23, 2005 GM Offers health savings accounts to its 36,000 active salaried employees. It's also available to thousands of salaried retirees. These accounts are not offered to hourly workers.

A Big Insurer Bets on Hot Trend: Shopping Around for Health Care
October 24, 2005 -VANESSA FUHRMANS -THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
In its three decades, UnitedHealth Group Inc. has helped drive some of the biggest shifts in the U.S. health-care system

Fiserv Credit Union Core Processors Developing Health Savings ...
Business Wire (press release) - San Francisco,CA,USA
... cost-effective alternative to traditional health plans, consumer ... lines of credit linked to the account. ... self-funded employers, lenders and savings institutions ...

More businesses moving to high-deductible 'consumer' health-care ...
St. Augustine Record - St. Augustine,FL,USA
... But more employers for the first time will offer high-deductible health plans with a savings account attached during upcoming open-enrollment periods, benefits ...

Guidant shares drop on J&J comment
BusinessWeek - USA
... issued a cryptic statement Tuesday about the diversified health-care products ... ING DIRECT - Orange Savings Account Open an account with 3.40% annual percentage ...

Managing Your Health Savings Account
Forbes - USA
... If that person lands in the hospital, he or she will get a check for the deductible minus the amount deposited in the health savings account. ...

Considering health savings accounts
Brattleboro Reformer - VT, United States
Often described as an individual retirement account for medical expenses, health savings accounts (HSAs) are billed as the elixir to rising health care costs. ...