Friday, March 15, 2013


Online Healthcare Innovation Forum: Are Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)  A Wave of the Future?
A penny sav’d a penny got.
William Somerville (1675-1742). The Sweet Scented Miser
Health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the United States who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). The funds contributed to an account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit or time of withdrawal.
Health Savings Accounts Definition
Surveys from  the American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), indicate  Health Savings Accounts(HSAs) are growing like topsy.   In January 2007,  HSA  plans covered 4.5 million Americans.    In January 2012, that number grew to 13. 5 million.   In other words, HSA membership tripled. It  went up by 18% in 2011. If these trends continue,  26 million will be in HSAs by 2015,  and 40 million by 2017.
HSA Proponents
Proponents of HSAs include most Republicans, and  business leaders like Whole Foods CEO John Mackey ( “The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare,“ WSJ, August 11, 2009, and  former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (“Hoosiers and Health Savings Accounts,” WSJ,.March 10, 2010.  These advocates  present evidence that broad HSA adoption reduces health costs by decreasing demand. 

Once consumers have “skin in the game” through HSAs linked to high deductibles, they become  prudent in using their own money,  They shop for care.  Savings for retirement are encouraged as money not spent is rolled over into the next year. Evidence to date indicates people with HSAs overwhelmingly prefer HSAs to traditional health plans.  Health insurance agents and banks support HSAs.   HSAs give agents another product to sell and banks another product to manage.  HSAs are equivalent to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and operate by many of the same rules.  Proponents claim HSAs encourage individual responsibility and choice.
HSA Opponents
Opponents, who tend to be Obamacare supporters and who benefit from the health law's policies, assert that HSAs do little to  reduce overall health costs since at least 70%  of those costs stem from people with chronic disease, not from healthy individuals who make up most of those owning HSAs.  Further, when  healthy individuals takes out HSAs,  it  increases premiums for those with disease. 

They present evidence that consumers at large have little interest in taking responsibility for reducing costs (“Consumers Don’t View Curbing Costs as Their Job in Choosing Treatments,” March 13, Kaiser Health News.  Consumers equate expensive care with good care.  They feel insurance entitles them to unlimited care. They do not want doctors to consider cost when advising treatment. In general, people don’t want the cheap test, e.g. a CT scan versus an MRI, or  a generic versus a brand name drug, even though the cheap drug may be just as effective. 

Opponents of HSAs  tend to be financial executives with health care institutions and progressives who feel that  government experts and private elitists know best,  that patients do not have sufficient intelligence or information to make their own health decisions, and that they have a paternalistic duty to protect patients.
Tweet:  HSA advocates say HSAs with high deductibles lower costs by sensitizing patients to costs; HSA critics believe HSAs may harm the sick.

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are
you using for this website? I'm getting sick and tired of Wordpress because I've had problems with hackers and I'm looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

Here is my web page; kahlil gibran quotes

Anonymous said...

What's up to every one, it's actually a nice for
me to pay a visit this site, it contains priceless Information.


My webpage teddy roosevelt quotes

Anonymous said...

Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
Extremely helpful information particularly the last
part :) I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this certain information
for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.



Also visit my blog post ... mistake quotes

Anonymous said...

each time i used to read smaller posts that also clear their motive, and that is
also happening with this article which I am
reading at this time.

Look at my weblog understanding quotes

Anonymous said...

Hi there, yeah this post is actually good and I have learned lot of things from it regarding blogging.
thanks.

Feel free to visit my web site: letting go quotes

Anonymous said...

My relatives always say that I am killing my time here at
web, but I know I am getting experience daily by reading
thes fastidious posts.

Feel free to visit my blog - sahelweb.Com

Anonymous said...

I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I'm
assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
I'm not very web savvy so I'm not 100% certain. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

Also visit my homepage; ecopunch.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you actually understand what you are talking about!
Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my web site =).
We will have a link exchange arrangement between us

Have a look at my web-site - Funky Fashion Jewellery

Anonymous said...

Hello! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give
a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through your
blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums
that cover the same topics? Thank you so much!


Also visit my website ... http://Neurobureau.org/connect/Link/163

Anonymous said...

This paragraph is genuinely a fastidious one it helps new
internet users, who are wishing in favor of blogging.


my homepage: domino pizza Voucher

Anonymous said...

I visited various websites but the audio feature for audio songs
existing at this website is actually wonderful.

Review my site - voucher codes - exclusive discount codes and discount vouchers

Anonymous said...

Hello! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

My weblog; http://Centr.md/

Anonymous said...

Hello! This post could not be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this.

I will forward this write-up to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
Many thanks for sharing!

My web page ... pizza Voucher

Anonymous said...

Can you tell us more about this? I'd like to find out more details.

Feel free to visit my site ... Freebies discounts

Anonymous said...

Hello there, You have done a great job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest
to my friends. I'm sure they'll be benefited from this website.



My web page ... freebies

Anonymous said...

Hurrah! Finally I got a webpage from where I be able to truly get useful facts concerning my study and
knowledge.

Here is my website: www.shiur.Com

Anonymous said...

I have read so many content concerning the blogger lovers however this
post is genuinely a fastidious piece of writing,
keep it up.

my web blog free stuff Uk

Anonymous said...

This website truly has all of the information and facts I wanted about this subject and didn't know who to ask.

Here is my web-site :: theratphoto.com

Anonymous said...

Having read this I thought it was extremely informative.
I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this information together.

I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time
both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was
still worth it!

Also visit my site Dominos Voucher Codes 50

Anonymous said...

Heya i'm for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to present one thing back and help others like you aided me.

Also visit my webpage - bestventureinc.com

Anonymous said...

Hey this is kinda of off topic but I was wondering if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I'm starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also visit my webpage ... buy free stuff

Anonymous said...

Very nice write-up. I certainly love this site. Continue the good work!


Visit my web blog; Online Market Research Companies

Anonymous said...

Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site
and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts.
Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.


my website ... voucher code for Dominos online

Anonymous said...

Do you have any video of that? I'd care to find out some additional information.

Take a look at my weblog :: Qualitative Research

Anonymous said...

I am curious to find out what blog system you are working
with? I'm having some minor security problems with my latest blog and I would like to find something more secure. Do you have any recommendations?

Visit my site; Uk Market Research Companies

Anonymous said...

Because the admin of this site is working, no hesitation very soon it will be renowned, due to its
feature contents.

Feel free to visit my web-site: funky fashion Jewellery

Anonymous said...

It's perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!

Feel free to visit my blog - Whateverlife2.com

Anonymous said...

Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely
well written article. I will make sure to bookmark
it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.


Stop by my blog post Vouchers For dominos

Anonymous said...

When someone writes an article he/she retains the thought of a user in his/her
brain that how a user can know it. So that's why this article is outstdanding. Thanks!

Review my page ... Care home turnaround

Anonymous said...

Hello, Neat post. There is an issue with your site in internet explorer,
would test this? IE still is the market leader and a large section of other folks will miss your magnificent
writing because of this problem.

Also visit my site: www.wolfandassociates.com

Anonymous said...

I have learn some just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how a lot effort you place to make one
of these excellent informative website.

Stop by my page http://research.calit2.net/airbud/wiki/index.php/User:PerryHerr

Anonymous said...

It's going to be ending of mine day, but before finish I am reading this fantastic piece of writing to improve my know-how.

Feel free to surf to my page - Voucher codes dominos pizza uk

Anonymous said...

I don't know whether it's just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering
issues with your site. It seems like some of the text on your content are running off the screen.

Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too?

This may be a issue with my web browser because I've had this happen previously. Cheers

Also visit my webpage :: Dominos Online Vouchers

Anonymous said...

Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website,
how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal.

I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright
clear idea

my webpage :: Care home Consultants

Anonymous said...

As the admin of this site is working, no doubt very quickly it will be famous, due to
its quality contents.

my website ... Dominos Pizza vouchers

Anonymous said...

I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this
post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you're going to a famous blogger if you are not already ;) Cheers!

Here is my blog; paypal voucher

Anonymous said...

It is in point of fact a great and helpful piece of information.

I'm happy that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

Also visit my web site average Accountant salary

Anonymous said...

Does your site have a contact page? I'm having a tough time locating it but, I'd
like to send you an email. I've got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.

Here is my web page :: Funky Jewellery Uk

Anonymous said...

Woah! I'm really digging the template/theme of this blog. It's simple, yet
effective. A lot of times it's very difficult to get that "perfect balance" between usability and appearance. I must say you've done a excellent job with this.

Additionally, the blog loads super quick for me on Safari.
Superb Blog!

Also visit my blog - give me free stuff

Anonymous said...

You could certainly see your skills in the work
you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers such as
you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.

my web site ... free Nurses stuff

Anonymous said...

Thanks for finally writing about > Untitled < Loved it!

Also visit my web site :: Dominos vouchers uk

Anonymous said...

I visited many web sites except the audio quality for audio songs existing at this
web page is actually fabulous.

Here is my weblog Fashion Jewellery

Anonymous said...

In fact no matter if someone doesn't understand then its up to other people that they will help, so here it takes place.

My homepage :: Certified Public Accountant Salary

Anonymous said...

What's Happening i'm new to this, I stumbled upon
this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has aided
me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other customers like
its helped me. Great job.

Look at my web page - my discount vouchers

Anonymous said...

Thankfulness to my father who shared with me on the topic
of this weblog, this blog is in fact amazing.

Stop by my weblog - Http://bestventureinc.Com/

Anonymous said...

Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing
very good gains. If you know of any please share. Kudos!

My page ... junior accountant salary

Anonymous said...

That is very attention-grabbing, You are an excessively skilled blogger.
I've joined your feed and stay up for in the hunt for extra of your great post. Additionally, I've shared your site in my
social networks

my web page :: Www.Vaccineeducationonline.Org

Anonymous said...

I believe what you said made a ton of sense.
But, what about this? what if you were to write a killer headline?
I ain't suggesting your information is not solid., but what if you added something that grabbed people's attention?
I mean Untitled is a little plain. You should peek
at Yahoo's front page and watch how they write news titles to grab people to click. You might try adding a video or a related pic or two to get people interested about what you've written.
Just my opinion, it could make your posts a little livelier.


Have a look at my website: Dominos Pizza vouchers uk

steycough said...

9a replica bags replica bags joy replica bags london