Blog Entries tagged 'IRS'

Why is Healthcare So Friggin' Expensive? Reason # 11

shades — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:00:00 +0100

Last month we posted an article that hit on the "Unscientific Top Ten Reasons Why Healthcare is So Expensive." Today we are here to offer you unscientific reason #11.

The U.S. Government doesn't trust you any further than they can throw you.

HDHPs and HSAs, by nature should save you money over traditional health insurance. BUT, the Government in all its wisdom/paranoia does what they can to undermine their efficiencies.

In this case, they passed some leg [...]

An HSA Tax Tip

shades — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:00:00 +0100

You are new to the world of High Deductible Health Plans, and your new plan is HSA eligible, or perhaps you have an HSA but haven't had the time to open a corresponding Health Savings Account. Or you opened an HSA but have put no money in it this year. With Christmas, Hanukkah and the general holiday season upon us, you are light on cash and thinking maybe you'll hold back on that contribution to your HSA.

You know in your mind that your healthcare [...]

"Hows Yo Mamma?" Annual HDHP Enrollment & What is an HSA?

shades — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:00:00 +0100

About this time every year employers all over the nation unveil their latest, greatest insurance offerings for the coming year. They've worked over their brokers, agents, and consultants, dusted off a few old tricks and brought a couple new ones to the game. They've frosted up this package with Betty Crocker's finest, served it up on their finest china, put it on a fork and are now playing the "airplane" game with you.

Now you're probably thinking, " [...]

HSA 'Grab Bag' 101 - If It's Free, Is An HSA for Me?

shades — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0100

And the answer is......maybe. Sorry, black and whiters, that's just the way it is.

It depends on the type of free or in this case, discounted care you receive. So as an example if your employer has a clinic where you can go for a flu shot, or say get your allergy shots, or maybe to get an aspirin when you have a headache, or maybe to have a wart looked at or maybe get some antiseptic and a bandaid if you cut yourself opening a box or something you would still be eligible for an HSA.

HSA 'Grab Bag'

shades — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:00:00 +0100

If you're really tuned into the world of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High Deductible Health Plans this whole ‘Grab Bag' concept is yesterday's news to you. That said, most folks reading this have probably never heard of it and I, while I have heard of it and perused it, have been avoiding it like the plague.

Despite of its thought provoking and generally stimulating name, ‘Grab Bag,' the thing is what it is. It is also known as IRS Notice 2 [...]