We live in a convenience-based society, always on the lookout for immediate satisfaction. Linking tax-advantaged benefits accounts such as FSAs and HSAs to benefits debit cards is a popular option that creates more convenience for everyone. When using an account-linked benefits debit card, the participant can make eligible purchases without having to front the expense, … [READ MORE]
To say that the last two years have been challenging would be an understatement. For the benefits industry, it’s been particularly difficult to navigate changes to various rules and regulations. Among their efforts to provide relief to employees during the pandemic, Congress has temporarily changed certain regulatory requirements and deadlines for the 2021-2022 period. It’s … [READ MORE]
Preventive healthcare may help reduce the risk of disease, disabilities, and death. However, millions of people still don’t seek out preventive care services. The problem has become so rampant that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched an initiative called Healthy People 2030. The initiative aims to educate people on preventive care … [READ MORE]
Healthcare costs have been on the rise for decades, and this year is on track to continue that trajectory. Current predictions are that costs will likely trend up about 6.5 percent in 2021, especially in the areas of mental health and ongoing COVID-19 care. The portion of healthcare costs that a patient is responsible for after … [READ MORE]
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is the formal name of the coronavirus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, since the original outbreak we have so far experienced two variants, Delta and Omicron. Public health experts believe that, like influenza, COVID will eventually become endemic – never completely disappearing, but due to vaccination … [READ MORE]
Many companies work hard to offer great benefit plans to their employees. But plan documents can be hard to understand and may discourage employees from enrolling at all – and if they do enroll, they may not use their benefits as much as they could, or should. As a result, employers pay for benefits not … [READ MORE]
Health Savings Account (HSA) owners – there may be some upsides to your tax-advantaged healthcare benefit account you aren’t aware of. Most people have heard of the triple tax savings: tax-free contributions, tax-free earnings, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified healthcare expenses. Though HSAs are designed primarily to reduce healthcare costs, the accounts have ‘hidden gem’ … [READ MORE]
The IRS has announced the 2022 HSA contribution limits, HDHP minimum deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket expense limits. Also included in the agency’s announcement are the 2022 limits for Excepted Benefit HRAs. Learn more below. 2022 HSA Contribution Limits Health Savings Account (HSA) owners will see an increase in how much they can contribute to their … [READ MORE]
The fight against COVID-19 has expanded to the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) items with employer-sponsored benefit accounts. On Friday, March 26, the IRS released Announcement 2021-7, which approves PPE purchased for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 as medical expenses under section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. The regulation allows … [READ MORE]
Healthcare can be very expensive, but with a tax-advantaged tool like the Health Savings Account (HSA), it can help lower costs. A high deductible healthcare plan (HDHP) – a requirement to open and contribute to an HSA – allows healthcare consumers to save on premiums and set aside tax-free money for out-of-pocket medical expenses. But, … [READ MORE]