Comments on: Don’t ditch HSA plans just yet http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/dont-ditch-hsa-plans-just-yet/ Daily dose of benefits news and know-how Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:30:38 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Sophie http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/dont-ditch-hsa-plans-just-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-840 Sophie Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:44:25 +0000 http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/?p=107#comment-840 Nick, if I may be so bold -- Don't fool yourself... If you think that we should go to a national health care system then be prepared for some "adjustments" to your current healthcare experiences. Among these changes will be extremely long waits to see a doctor (no matter what your reason for going), as well as, substandard healthcare. Americans, in my opinion, do not realize what they have. Be satisfied that you have a company that offers you an insurance plan at all. It would be insane to think that a national healthcare system would be in the best interest of America. I know the Democrats are "selling" this program; however, think of this before you jump on the band wagon. 1) Have you ever been on state aid or (for medical care)? 2) If so, what was covered, what wasn't covered, how was your prescription coverage? 3) With the state of the economy and the government footing the bill for this so-called healthcare plan, do you think that the doctors will be paid what they are used to being paid? 4) If not, how many of those doctors will continue to practice medicine in the US or at all? 5) If doctors stop practicing medicine, how much longer will the wait be to see a doctor when you really need it. The rich have more money than the poor. That is called "life". I am not rich, I probably will never be rich -- and I am okay with this. I choose to PAY for a better medical plan because the health and welfare of my family is of the uttmost importance to me. IT IS WORTH IT. I am not going to say that the government should feel bad for me and supply me with insurance FOR FREE so that I can go get my nails done or buy that Gucci purse. GET OVER IT !!! Nick, if I may be so bold — Don’t fool yourself… If you think that we should go to a national health care system then be prepared for some “adjustments” to your current healthcare experiences. Among these changes will be extremely long waits to see a doctor (no matter what your reason for going), as well as, substandard healthcare.

Americans, in my opinion, do not realize what they have. Be satisfied that you have a company that offers you an insurance plan at all. It would be insane to think that a national healthcare system would be in the best interest of America. I know the Democrats are “selling” this program; however, think of this before you jump on the band wagon.

1) Have you ever been on state aid or (for medical care)?
2) If so, what was covered, what wasn’t covered, how was your prescription coverage?
3) With the state of the economy and the government footing the bill for this so-called healthcare plan, do you think that the doctors will be paid what they are used to being paid?
4) If not, how many of those doctors will continue to practice medicine in the US or at all?
5) If doctors stop practicing medicine, how much longer will the wait be to see a doctor when you really need it.

The rich have more money than the poor. That is called “life”. I am not rich, I probably will never be rich — and I am okay with this. I choose to PAY for a better medical plan because the health and welfare of my family is of the uttmost importance to me. IT IS WORTH IT. I am not going to say that the government should feel bad for me and supply me with insurance FOR FREE so that I can go get my nails done or buy that Gucci purse.

GET OVER IT !!!

]]> By: Nick W. http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/dont-ditch-hsa-plans-just-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-812 Nick W. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:18:13 +0000 http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/?p=107#comment-812 I work for a nonrpofit with 450 employees. Each year we dread how much our health care premiums are going to rise. Each year for the last five years our health care premium as increased double digits. The health care system in the US is broken. Passing the increased costs of health care to our employees in unrealistic. We need the kind of health care in this country that all industrialized countries have - national health care. The study cited in the article was done by an orgainzation with all major health insurance companies in it's board - http://www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx?bc=31|42|54 Thet have nothing to lose by churning out these "studies". I work for a nonrpofit with 450 employees. Each year we dread how much our health care premiums are going to rise. Each year for the last five years our health care premium as increased double digits.

The health care system in the US is broken. Passing the increased costs of health care to our employees in unrealistic. We need the kind of health care in this country that all industrialized countries have – national health care.

The study cited in the article was done by an orgainzation with all major health insurance companies in it’s board – http://www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx?bc=31|42|54

Thet have nothing to lose by churning out these “studies”.

]]> By: Audra http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/dont-ditch-hsa-plans-just-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-791 Audra Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:41:08 +0000 http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/?p=107#comment-791 Our company recently added HSA's with a compatible high deductible health plan. The reason for doing so had absolutely nothing to do with wellness programs. In fact, we tried a wellness program a couple years ago and then our premiums went up 80%!! As a result, last year we went to a lesser plan with a $250 deductible. This past year our premium on the lesser plan went up 40%!! Now this year we were forced to go to an even lesser plan - a $2,600 deductible. The monthly premium for the plan is $535!! The company is only kicking in $15 per month to the HSA. So, don't be so quick to judge why there is a 37% increase in HSA's. I would assume that one of the main reasons is because better plans have become completely unaffordable and employers are forced to offer lesser plans. Unfortunately, all the wellness programs in the world cannot eliminate chronic employee diseases (diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer) that are the true culprit of astronomical premium increases (especially if you work for a company with 50 or less employees). Our company recently added HSA’s with a compatible high deductible health plan. The reason for doing so had absolutely nothing to do with wellness programs. In fact, we tried a wellness program a couple years ago and then our premiums went up 80%!! As a result, last year we went to a lesser plan with a $250 deductible. This past year our premium on the lesser plan went up 40%!! Now this year we were forced to go to an even lesser plan – a $2,600 deductible. The monthly premium for the plan is $535!! The company is only kicking in $15 per month to the HSA. So, don’t be so quick to judge why there is a 37% increase in HSA’s. I would assume that one of the main reasons is because better plans have become completely unaffordable and employers are forced to offer lesser plans. Unfortunately, all the wellness programs in the world cannot eliminate chronic employee diseases (diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer) that are the true culprit of astronomical premium increases (especially if you work for a company with 50 or less employees).

]]> By: Kim http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/dont-ditch-hsa-plans-just-yet/comment-page-1/#comment-786 Kim Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:24:55 +0000 http://www.hrbenefitsalert.com/?p=107#comment-786 HSA's are a flop????? Where have you been? Implementing an HSA health plan 3 years ago literally stopped our health plan costs from spiraling out of control. As the HR Director for a small, <50 employee, Kansas manufacturing plant, I have seen first-hand how the HSA has not only saved the company AND OUR EMPLOYEES money ... but EVERYONE is taking control of their health care. And - We DO NOT have a Wellness Program. We have seen DECREASES in our premiums for 3 years straight ... This while our old traditional plan now costs at least 50% more than what we're paying now. That said, there certainly is a "right" way and a "wrong" way to implement an HSA. Our owners knew this was the way they had to go & matched employee contributions 100% for the 1st 2 years. We're @ 75% match now. It's imperative to match contributions & put your employee's at ease. We also made sure that wellness visits were covered - we certainly didn't want employees not taking care of themselves. Lastly, EDUCATION is the biggest part. You must demonstrate to employees not only what it is, what the savings will be, but HOW IT WORKS! HSA’s are a flop????? Where have you been? Implementing an HSA health plan 3 years ago literally stopped our health plan costs from spiraling out of control. As the HR Director for a small, <50 employee, Kansas manufacturing plant, I have seen first-hand how the HSA has not only saved the company AND OUR EMPLOYEES money … but EVERYONE is taking control of their health care. And – We DO NOT have a Wellness Program. We have seen DECREASES in our premiums for 3 years straight … This while our old traditional plan now costs at least 50% more than what we’re paying now. That said, there certainly is a “right” way and a “wrong” way to implement an HSA. Our owners knew this was the way they had to go & matched employee contributions 100% for the 1st 2 years. We’re @ 75% match now. It’s imperative to match contributions & put your employee’s at ease. We also made sure that wellness visits were covered – we certainly didn’t want employees not taking care of themselves. Lastly, EDUCATION is the biggest part. You must demonstrate to employees not only what it is, what the savings will be, but HOW IT WORKS!

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