Court Vacates Coupon Cost-Sharing Rule

On September 29, 2023, a significant legal development occurred that could affect how health insurance carriers and group health plans handle manufacturer coupons for prescription drugs. The District Court for the District of Columbia vacated a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that allowed, but did not mandate, the inclusion of manufacturer coupons in calculating the cost-sharing for health plans. In this blog post, we’ll explore the background of this issue, the 2019 HHS rule, and the subsequent legal decisions that have led to this recent development. HHS’s 2019 Rule In 2019, HHS issued a rule to clarify this matter. The rule stated that plans… Read More

Continue Reading

Making HSAs Work Smarter

In the dynamic world of employee benefits, leaders have come to grasp the immense potential benefits hold in achieving their key goals. One approach that has gained significant traction is the combination of High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), a powerful duo that not only reduces benefits costs but also empowers employees with greater control over their healthcare expenses. However, despite the evident advantages, the journey to unlocking the full potential of HDHPs + HSAs is far from over. There lies an untapped opportunity to optimize plan design and elevate employee education, enabling companies to enhance their workforce’s well-being while achieving cost-effectiveness. If you are eager… Read More

Continue Reading

Do HSA’s, FSA’s, or HRA’s carryover or rollover?

Health Savings Account (HSA): All funds belong to the employee. Unused balances roll over into the next year. Funds do not expire from year-to-year. Rollover funds do not count towards the contribution limit. Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Amounts must be incurred by the end of the plan year and do not usually carry over unless an employer allows up to $610 to carry over into the next year. Amounts that roll do not affect the maximum election that can be made for the plan year. Otherwise, employers may adopt a 2 and half month grace period that allows participants to access unused amounts remaining in their accounts. Health Reimbursement… Read More

Continue Reading

Does a Health Savings Account (HSA) have Reimbursable Expenses?

Employees can use the HSA to pay for Code §213(d) medical expenses, expenses such as expenditures for medical care, to the extent that such amounts are not reimbursed by insurance or any other source. Medicines and drugs (other than insulin) can be qualified medical expenses only if they are prescribed. Under the CARES Act, employers can also allow for reimbursement of OTC drugs. With certain exceptions, qualified medical expenses do not include payments for health insurance premiums or coverage contributions toward self-funded health coverage. However, the expense for coverage under any of the following will be an HSA-qualified medical expenses: HSA funds may not be used to pay insurance premiums… Read More

Continue Reading

Total Benefit Solutions Inc., In The News!

Ed MacConnell, who runs employee benefits firm Total Solutions, Inc. in Feasterville, believes that the emergency payment feature could potentially be used for unforeseen medical expenses

Continue Reading

What is an excepted benefit HRA?

Businesses that offer an employer-sponsored group health plan to workers now have another way to save money while designing a health benefit package with more choices for employees – the Excepted Benefit HRA. The new EBHRA is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement designed to pay premiums and related expenses for eligible excepted benefits like dental and vision coverage. And, while an employer is required to offer a traditional group health plan, an employee can participate in the EBHRA even if they decline participating in the employer’s group health plan. That’s going to open up a lot of premium savings for workers who are eligible for coverage under a spouse’s or parent’s… Read More

Continue Reading

IRS Health Savings Account Adjusted Amounts for 2023

The IRS has released the 2023 cost-of-living adjustments for Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limits, HDHP deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums. To read the official IRS release, click here. As always, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions health insurance specialists at (215)355-2121.

Continue Reading

What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

A type of savings account that lets your set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses, you may be able to lower your overall health care costs. HSA funds generally may not be used to pay premiums. While you can use the funds in an HSA at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, you may contribute to an HSA only if you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) — generally a health plan (including a Marketplace plan) that only covers preventive services… Read More

Continue Reading

What are HDHPs & HSAs?

One way to manage your health care expenses is by enrolling in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) in combination with opening a Health Savings Account (HSA). How High Deductible Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts can reduce your costs: If you enroll in an HDHP, you may pay a lower monthly premium but have a higher deductible (meaning you pay for more of your health care items and services before the insurance plan pays). If you combine your HDHP with an HSA, you can pay that deductible, plus other qualified medical expenses, using money you set aside in your tax-free HSA. So if you have an HDHP and don’t… Read More

Continue Reading

What is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)?

A plan with a higher deductible than a traditional insurance plan. The monthly premium is usually lower, but you pay more health care costs yourself before the insurance company starts to pay its share (your deductible). A high deductible plan (HDHP) can be combined with a health savings account (HSA), allowing you to pay for certain medical expenses with money free from federal taxes. For 2022, the IRS defines a high deductible health plan as any plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family. An HDHP’s total yearly out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) can’t be more than $7,050 for an… Read More

Continue Reading

IRS Announces Medical Mileage Rate Increase

To offset high gas prices, on June 9, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced an increase in the 2022 standard medical mileage rate for the final six months of 2022. Effective July 1, 2022, the new rate for when an automobile is used to obtain medical care is 22 cents per mile for the remainder of 2022, which is an increase from the rate of 18 cents per mile effective January 1 – June 30, 2022. Mileage to and from a medical service is generally an eligible expense under a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or Health Savings Account. Click here to learn more. As always, please… Read More

Continue Reading

2023 Inflation Adjusted Amounts for HSAs

The IRS released the inflation adjustments for health savings accounts (“HSAs”) and their accompanying high deductiblehealth plans (“HDHPs”) effective for calendar year 2023, and the maximum amount that may be made newly available forexcepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (“HRAs”). All limits have increased from the 2022 amounts, somesignificantly.

Continue Reading

Temporary Telehealth Relief for HSA Plans

On March 15, 2022, the President signed government funding legislation, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (“CAA-22”), into law. The legislation includes a prospective extension of relief that allows first dollar coverage of telehealth services from April 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022. This relief allows individuals with High Deductible Health Plans (“HDHPs”) to receive free telehealth services prior to the satisfaction of their minimum deductible and remain eligible to make Health Savings Account (“HSA”) contributions….

Continue Reading

What Is a Health Savings Account?

Continue Reading

ARPA Update from United Healthcare COBRA Services

Continue Reading
women friends in masks standing in subway passage

Aetna Small Group (2-100) Insured & Small Group Aetna Funding Advantage FAQ
Health Plan options for business owners during COVID-19 pandemic

Continue Reading

Get Dental and Vision Quotes Now!

Enjoy next-day coverage on most dental insurance plans. There are no enrollment fees with any plans. Preventive visits, such as exams and cleanings, are covered at 100% with network providers.

Continue Reading

Return to Work Checklist

Continue Reading
IRS Logo

IRS Announces New Inflation Adjusted HSA and HRA numbers for 2022

These new rates will take effect for the calendar year 2022. Please reach out to your Total Benefit Solutions, Inc health insurance specialists at (215)355-2121 if you have any questions or concerns about this notice.

Continue Reading