employer fitness programs
Health Savings Accounts
Healthcare news provided by HSAfinder.com, the leading independent source for HSA information. This feed provides, balanced information on Health Savings Accounts as well as other aspects of Consumer Directed Healthcare (CDH).
- Obama Victory Spreading Gloom Amongst HSA Custodians
There is some panic amongst Health Savings Account (HSAs) financial custodians after the Obama victory in the November Presidential election. Reports received by Information Strategies, Inc. (ISI) seem to reflect growing fear that HSAs may come under attack by the new administration. - Kaiser Foundation Study Shows HSA Strength, But Not Penetration Of Smaller Firms
Employee contributions to company-sponsored healthcare programs have increased more than 300% since 1999. - HSA Users Have Different Take On The Presidential Election
Health Savings Account (HSA) users differ from the general population in their views of the Presidential race, according to a survey of 4,930 completed in late September. - JP Morgan Reports Large Increase In HSA Accounts, Confirms Industry Growth Trends
In line with reports from other account custodians, J.P. Morgan reported its Health Savings Account (HSA) business has grown by 60 percent in account volume over the last year. The HSA user totals being reported to Information Strategies, Inc., from other custodians and insurance providers to this newsletter's parent, indicate that the total of custodial accounts held by the nation's financial institutions will double by the end of January 2009 versus January 2008. - Purchasing Patterns For Healthcare Insurance Revealed In Ongoing Study
For the first time, a study has revealed patterns of research and purchasing of Health Savings Account (HSA) insurance and custodial accounts. In the latest round of research by Information Strategies, Inc., (ISI), a study of 1,700 purchasers and more than 34,000 searches over a 12-month period indicated greater activity on certain days of the week. - UnitedHealthcare Is Rolling Out Vital Measures Program
UnitedHealthcare is curently rolling out its Vital Measures program in select markets across the country. - Perceived Lack of Quality Leads to Consumer Rating Websites
A new website, WhereToFindCare.com, has launched in response to growing concerns about health care quality and satisfaction in the U.S. - Uninsured Healthcare Rate Goes Down According To US Census Bureau
The number of people without health insurance coverage declined from 47 million (15.8 percent) in 2006 to 45.7 million (15.3 percent) in 2007. - HSA Growing As Retirement Option As Safety Nets Are Viewed As Less Secure
With many prior sources of retirement funding becoming less secure, individuals are turning to new types of retirement savings as a safety blanket. One source of funding growing in popularity is Health Savings Accounts. - Patients "Overdose" On Debt As Lenders, Doctors, And Hospitals Push Risky Credit To Pay For Medical Care
Some of the biggest names in the consumer credit business, including GE Money, Citigroup, and Chase, are pushing risky credit for financing medical procedures, according to the latest issue of Consumer Reports, which describes the new lending practices as akin to subprime mortgages. - Employer Healthcare Premiums Up 88% Since 2000
A detailed study of healthcare premium costs for employers indicates that they have risen 88% since the turn-of-the-century. Information Strategies, Inc.’s (ISI) staff has analyzed data from a variety of sources and developed a composite picture of healthcare premium costs in this decade. - CVS Adds New Health Savings, Flexible Spending Account Tracking Tools
CVS/pharmacy is aiming to make it easier for shoppers enrolled in health savings account (HSA)-eligible insurance plans and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to save money and track eligible health purchases as part of its ExtraCare rewards program. - Reduced Healthcare Benefits Utilization Reported For CDH Users
Firms with a consumer orientation in health benefits appear to be benefiting from reduced utilization, according to a new survey. The results mirror past studies done by Information Strategies, Inc. (ISI), this newsletter's parent. - Communications Key To Renewals Of Healthcare Insurance Offerings, Says J.D. Powers
Another sign of the continuing need for communications, particularly amongst providers of Consumer Directed Healthcare and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) is shown in the latest J.D. Powers surveys. - HSA Numbers Continue To Soar, Outrank HRAs, According To AHIP
As the number of Health Savings Account (HSAs) increases, the role of smaller businesses in its expansion continue. While numbers shown in a major study indicate larger corporations are embracing HSAs, smaller firms are still leading the charge. - Georgia Adopts Tax Policy To Help Small Business Provide Healthcare Insurance To Employees
Georgia has adopted a new tax policy in a further sign of the growing use of HSAs as a means of helping small employers provide healthcare insurance benefits. - GAO Report Is A "Half-Full, Half-Empty" Analysis Of HSA Users With Data Going Only As Far As 2005
The April 1 report by GAO supports data from Information Strategies, Inc.'s (ISI) ongoing research as well as other industry publications in that they show a huge increase in HSA accounts and covered lives over the past three years. - IRS Clarifies Regulations Concerning Employer HSA Contributions
Responding to requests for clarification of employer contribution issues, the Internal Revenue Service has issued its final regulations on this important Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) issue. - HSA Contribution Caps, Deductibles For 2009 Announced
In the final year of President Bush's term, the Administration continues to raise the HSA limits and contributions. The maximum contributions that can be made to health savings accounts will increase next year, the Internal Revenue Service said. - Tips for Older Adults to Become More Active
While advice on how to accomplish the lifestyle change of a new fitness or physical activity regime is widespread, little of it is targeted to adults ages 50-plus. - Free Children's Eye Health Information in Honor of May's Healthy Vision Month
The National Eye Institute and EyeCare America both believe that protecting vision should be a matter attended to all year long. This year the two national non-profit organizations are working together on a campaign designed to educate and inform parents on the best way to tend to the precious sight of their children. - White Paper Offers Employers Methodologies To Reduce Healthcare Benefit Costs
Employers, Employees need to look at personal health regimes to ward off costly healthcare costs. Employers should be looking at wellness programs to reduce costs, improve staff health, morale. - Dramatic Events On Tax Day Show Strength, Vulnerability of HSAs
While the House of Representatives was passing a bill that could slow down adoption of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), a man blamed by one Republican congressman for providing House Democrats with the justification defended himself and his company to his peers. - Employees Will Pay 50+% Of Healthcare Benefits By 2012, Pundit Says
Employees will be paying more than 50% of their company provided healthcare benefits by 2012, according to a leading industry pundit. Speaking to an invitation only audience of senior banking and insurance executives, JoAnn M. Laing, President & CEO of Information Strategies, Inc. offered released her annual outlook. - Using an HSA for Retirement
Many individuals are now using health savings accounts (HSAs) as a way t