HSA

HSA Accounts Continue to Grow

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) were introduced in 2003 as a way to help individuals offset high deductible health plan (HDHP) costs. Since then, they have grown steadily in both the number of accounts and account assets. Yet, despite appealing across demographic groups, HSAs still aren’t as well understood or utilized as 401k plans or IRAs. To some degree the accounts remain an untapped market, one that can continue to grow exponentially with sufficient promotion and

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transparency in coverage

Transparency in Coverage: New for ’22

Healthcare costs are expected to trend higher by about 6.5 percent this year. COVID-19 and mental health care will drive the increase, among other health issues. But some relief is already here. Effective January 1, the No Surprises Act aims to protect patients after a service or product has already been provided by banning certain out-of-network billings and educating patients on how to question charges. The Transparency in Coverage rule, also now in effect, will help patients before a service

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attract retain talent

How Employers Can Attract and Retain Top Talent

When the pandemic hit, workers were being furloughed or laid off in droves as forced shutdowns shrank or entirely eliminated many businesses. As businesses attempt to hire people back, another phenomenon has taken shape. Workers are refusing to go back to previous jobs or quitting the ones they do have. With so many positions to fill and so many people not working, what’s an employer to do? Money Alone is Not Enough Logic might dictate

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no surprises act

No Surprises Act: Making Healthcare Costs More Transparent

More than a third of employees in a recent survey said that the medical bills they receive after seeking care are “always or usually” a surprise to them. Yet, 28% say they pay them anyway because they don’t want to fight with the insurance company. What causes surprise medical billings? Insurance plans cover large portions of medical care, but deductibles or co-pays may come into play. Out-of-network providers may charge more for a service than

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help employees understand benefits

Help Employees Understand Their Benefits

Companies spend a lot of time and money creating valuable benefits plans for employees. But even after all that work, they still often get low participation. Good benefit choices require employers to help employees understand their benefits. PlanSponsor recently reported that two-thirds of employees want year-round help understanding and using their benefits. That number goes up to 78% among Millennials. So, let’s take a look at what employees need to best use the benefits you provide.

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benefitspro

“11 years of ACA: Consumer-directed health care accounts thrive” – BenefitsPRO Features Remarks from DataPath CMO

The ACA is in its second decade of affecting healthcare across the country. This legislation continues to have a major impact on Americans across a range of economic groups and industries. Its affects can also be felt in the CDH market. Originally Posted by BenefitsPRONovember 22, 2021 Healthcare reform has been debated for years, with many recent U.S. presidents trying to reshape the American system in different ways. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the

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COVID-19 relief health plans

Where We Are: COVID-19 Relief and Health Plans

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, many relief measures have been enacted, from stimulus payments to extended deadlines to COBRA subsidies. Keeping up with these relief measures, how long they apply and what employers need to do to stay compliant can be most challenging. With expiration dates right around the corner, it’s important to know what’s coming in terms of COVID-19 relief and health plans. But before we get into that, how did we get here to

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2022 FSA Contribution Limit Increased to $2,850

On November 10, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced 2022 annual limits for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions, maximum carryover amounts, Transportation benefit (Transit/Commuter/Parking) contributions, and Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRAs) amounts. The announcement was made in Rev. Proc. 2021-45. 2022 FSA Contributions The maximum health FSA contribution limit will be $2,850. Health FSAs can be used for a wide range of qualified out-of-pocket expenses. These include over-the-counter and prescription medications, deductibles,

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HSA Boosting Retirement

Is Your HSA Boosting Your Retirement Fund?

As pandemic-related losses have driven business owners to cut costs, High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) have enabled them to provide healthcare options to employees while minimizing premium expenses. Due to higher deductibles, HDHPs require some adjustment on the part of employees. To help with out-of-pocket costs, HDHPs are often coupled with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). HSAs were designed to help make healthcare more affordable and give people more freedom in making healthcare choices. You can

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consumer-directed-healthcare-ACA

Press Release: New Whitepaper Examines Health of CDH Market after a Decade of the ACA

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (Nov. 1, 2021) – DataPath, Inc., a leading developer of technology solutions for employee benefits administration, has published a whitepaper titled, “Eleven Years After the Affordable Care Act, The Consumer-Directed Healthcare Market Thrives.” The paper explores the health of CDH accounts after a decade of the ACA – and concludes that it is booming. The whitepaper details many of the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act. It also examines its effects

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Flu shot FSA

Double Whammy: Flu Season During a Pandemic

Flu season can be miserable even in a normal year. During a pandemic, it’s even scarier, especially if you are in a vulnerable population. This year it is more important than ever to have the latest information on available vaccinations, corresponding costs and how to pay for them. Many health insurance plans cover routine vaccinations such as flu shots with little or no cost-sharing. However, if you do have to pay for it, flu shots

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Cafeteria Plans

Cafeteria Plans Let Employees Choose Benefit Options

What is a cafeteria plan? Cafeteria Plans are an employer-sponsored benefit that lets employees pay certain qualified medical expenses – such as health insurance premiums for medical, dental, and vision coverage – on a pre-tax basis.  They are sometimes called Section 125 Cafeteria Plans. “Section 125” refers to the portion of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) that regulates these pre-tax plans. “Cafeteria Plan” reflects the fact that, similar to a lunch cafeteria, you can choose

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Ready to quit smoking? Your FSA or HSA can help

Ready to quit smoking? Your FSA or HSA can help

Although COVID-19 was a top health story in 2020, another disturbing health trend also emerged with fewer people quitting smoking. The health dangers of smoking cigarettes have been well-documented since the U.S. surgeon general’s groundbreaking report in 1964. The number of adults who smoke was down to an estimated 14 percent in 2019, and cigarette sales steadily continued declining year after year until 2020, when they increased slightly. 1-800-QUIT-NOW, a national portal connecting callers to local

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