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Welcome to Part II of Our Captivating -Annual Survey
How HSAs Can Unshackle Clients from High Health Insurance Costs16. What service guarantees do you offer?
Aetna: We do not offer HSA service guarantees.
Anthem Blue Cross: We do not offer performance guarantees in the Small Group market or Individual market.
Blue Shield of California: Our relationship with Wells Fargo provides for a number of service level agreements. One example of a typical service guarantee would be telephone average speed of response.
CIGNA: The standard performance guarantees apply.
Health Net of California: Not applicable.
HSA California: HSA California guarantees outstanding service. Our customer service team has expert knowledge of the insurance industry and is available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday for personal assistance.
HSA Resources: We will offer service guarantees in special
circumstances.
Sterling HSA: Sterling HSA offers a full money back guarantee for up to 12 months of paid monthly maintenance fees if our account holders are unhappy with our service. Sterling was the first HSA administrator to offer such a guarantee.
UnitedHealth Group: Service guarantees will vary based on the scope of the relationship with the customer, but are typically available with respect to administrative service delivered under the plan.17. What kinds of depositories are desired?
Aetna: Not applicable.
Anthem Blue Cross: There is no minimum balance requirement.
Blue Shield of California: Guidelines will vary by financial institution. Our relationship with Wells Fargo provides for the following:
• For IFP members, the minimum HSA deposit is $100
• For employer groups, there is no minimum deposit
• Any deposits after the initial $100 may be directed into investment accounts dictated by the member.
CIGNA: There are no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Contributions to the HSA can be funded through employer facilitated pre-tax payroll contributions (EFT/ACH transactions) or through unscheduled deposits in which participants arrange from an EFT from their personal bank account or send a check and deposit slip to a lockbox for contribution to their HSA.
Health Net of California: Not applicable.
HSA California: Our partnership with The Bancorp Bank provides the following:
• No minimum balance requirement to open an HSA
• No minimum deposit requirement for employer groups
HSA Resources: There are no minimum balance requirements for accounts with recurring deposits and just a $25 minimum initial deposit for others.
Kaiser Permanente: The arrangement with Wells Fargo is the following:
• Minimum opening HSA deposit of $100 for individual and family plan members.
• No minimum deposit for employer groups with payroll deduction.
• The monthly account maintenance fee is waived once the account exceeds $2,500.
Sterling HSA: Sterling aggregates all deposits from employers, employees, and individuals. We can accept cash, check and ACH transfers, and EFT through our Website in a password protected environment.
18. Where is your company headquartered?Aetna: Hartford, Conn.
Anthem Blue Cross of California: Our corporate office is located at 21555 Oxnard Street in Woodland Hills, California.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif.
CIGNA: CIGNA HealthCare is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn. and CIGNA Corp., the parent company, is headquartered in Philadelphia, Penn.
Health Net of California: Woodland Hills, Calif.
HSA California: HSA California is based in Orange, Calif., and does business throughout the state.
HSA Resources: St. Cloud, Minn.
Kaiser Permanente: Oakland, Calif.
Sterling HSA: Oakland, Calif.
UnitedHealth Group: Minnetonka, Minn.19. Please provide the phone number and e-mail that brokers can use to find out more about your plan.
Aetna: 877-249-2472, prompt 6
Anthem Blue Cross: Brokers should contact their regional sales manager for individual and small group underwriting assistance. Large Group representatives should likewise call their group sales manager at the company.
Blue Shield of California: Brokers can call their Blue Shield sales representative or call Blue Shield Producer Services at (800) 559-5905 or visit Producer Connection at www.blueshieldca.com.
CIGNA: Please contact your local CIGNA HealthCare sales representative at 888-802-4462.
Health Net of California: Licensed brokers send correspondence to:
Health Net Broker Relations
P.O. Box 9103
Van Nuys, CA 91409-9103
They may call or fax us at: Phone: 800-448-4411, Option 4
Fax: (818) 676-7977
And they may email us at: brokers@healthnet.com
Our hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
HSA California: Brokers can call us at 866.251.4625 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, or e-mail us anytime at
sales@hsacalifornia.com. Brokers can also visit us online at www.hsacalifornia.com, where they will find free sales training and collateral materials, and brochures and forms they can print and share with clients.
HSA Resources: For Broker Services please contact Steve Hansen 866.757.4727 x3 or email at Steve. Hansen@HSAResources.com.
Kaiser Permanente: Individual and Family Broker Sales:
1-800-789-4661, option 6 or 1-800-207-5084
Small Business Broker Sales: 1-800-789-4661
Broker Administration Dept.: 1-800-440-2323
Member Service Call Center: 1-800-464-4000 English
For questions about Kaiser Permanente’s CarePay® HSA
offered through Wells Fargo: 1-866-449-9929
Member/employer number: 1-866-890-8308
Sterling HSA: Our customer service and broker service number is 800-617-4729 or customer.service@sterlinghsa.com. We have account executives and managers who support our broker and consultant channel as well. Their individual names and phone numbers are available on our Website at www.sterlinghsa.com on the Team page.
UnitedHealth Group: For more information, please visit
www.unitedhealthcare.com.20. Which market segment (small/mid/large) do you anticipate these plans will best accommodate?
Aetna: All segments.
Anthem Blue Cross: We are seeing interest and adoption in all market segments.
Blue Shield of California: HSA-eligible plans are generating interest from all market segments, including individual and group markets. To date, Blue Shield’s membership in HSA-eligible plans encompasses all lines of business, from the individual group market to large, major employers.
CIGNA: We believe that HSAs and consumer directed health plans would be appropriate for all markets.
Health Net of California: These plans will best accommodate the large-group, small-group and individual segments.
HSA California: We believe HSAs are appealing to all markets; HSA California is designed for employers with 2-50 employees.
HSA Resources: Based on our experiences the small group market appears to be the fastest growing market segment. We believe this will continue to expand into the midsize and large group markets as more and more of their early adopter employees get experience with the high deductible health plans.
Kaiser Permanente: We anticipate that these types of plans will grow in appeal for all market segments. For smaller businesses, these plans may become the only option offered (either because they are switching from other plans or because they can now afford to offer health care for the first time because of these lower-cost options). For mid-to-large, we anticipate that more businesses will offer these types of plans alongside other traditional plans.
Sterling HSA: HDHP/HSAs accommodate all market segments. The early adopters were individuals and small groups because they make changes easily and they are most affected by double digit increases to their health plan premiums. Mid-market accounts and the large and national employers have joined the CDHP and HSA program since January of 2005 and we have seen steady growth over time.
UnitedHealth Group: All segments.21. What channels have been most effective in selling HSAs?
Aetna: Brokers and general agents, consultants, Aetna sales force.
Anthem Blue Cross: Agents and brokers remain our most effective channel for HSA marketing and sales.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield is a broker-driven organization. Our HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans are sold via the broker channel. To assist brokers in selling our HSA-eligible plans, we’ve provided them with educational and marketing collateral to help them sell HSAs during the plan purchase.
CIGNA: We have found that the broker/consultant channel has been the most effective.
Health Net of California: Brokers and General Agents have been the most effective in selling HSAs.
HSA California: All HSA California sales are through licensed independent insurance brokers, authorized general agencies, and brokerage houses. To make sure brokers understand the unique selling opportunity behind HSA California – that we’re the only small group, fully-integrated HSA program with multiple carriers in California – we produce timely communications and brochures that walk them through the program.
HSA Resources: Agents and Brokers that understand the consumer directed benefits and cost savings of a HDHP and HSA combination.
Kaiser Permanente: To date we have seen limited difference compared to other plans.
Sterling HSA: The broker who understands the market need and the value proposition of the HDHP/HSA is very successful in selling HSAs. The trend difference on the HDHP and HMO, or traditional PPO is often so significant that when strategizing for a long term, sustainable solution, this really works.
UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealthcare’s HSA-qualified plans are sold primarily through brokers and consultants, or directly to individuals purchasing insurance policies on their own.22. Which customer segments have been most receptive to HSAs?
Aetna: All customer segments.
Anthem Blue Cross: All customer segments continue to express interest in and adoption of HSAs.
Blue Shield of California: HSA-eligible plans appeal to all customer segments, from the individual market to small, midsize, and large groups.
CIGNA: Brokers have been very supportive of these plans.
Health Net of California: Individual plans and small group are most receptive in California. Overall nationwide, professionals and self-employed business owners ages 35 to 50 are the most receptive.
HSA California: Employers looking to rein in premium increases while at the same time expand health plan choices to employees have been most receptive. HSA California is also appealing to small-business owners looking to offer medical coverage to employees for the first time because it is less expensive than traditional coverage and offers unique savings opportunities.
HSA Resources: Initially we were very successful in the individual markets and individuals are still drawn to the lower premiums and more control an HDHP and HSA offer. In recent years we have had significant growth in the small group segment and we are now beginning to see more and more interest in midsize groups.
Kaiser: To date, we have seen limited difference compared to other plans.
Sterling HSA: Customers who feel that their yearly double-digit healthcare cost increases are unsustainable are rapidly moving to the HSA market. Areas with high PPO penetration move quickly as well.
UnitedHealth Group: All segments have been receptive to the HSA product.23. How prone are brokers to support this with reduced commissions on the high deductible health plan side of the equation?
Aetna: We have seen widespread broker support of HSA plans as a viable option for their clients.
Anthem Blue Cross: There is high interest in supporting this product from brokers to date. We continue to believe brokers will promote the appropriate health plans based on their clients’ needs regardless of commission rate.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield has been selling high-deductible health plans for many years even prior to the passage of the Medicare legislation that enabled HSAs. High-deductible plans have been an important option for brokers in providing their IFP and group clients plan benefit designs at more affordable price points. HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans are even more attractive because of the possible tax and personal saving advantages. We have received positive broker feedback on our HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans.
CIGNA: Brokers have been very supportive of these plans.
Health Net of California: We believe brokers will always sell from the best health plan or plans based on their clients’ needs.
HSA California: In today’s economy, the owners of small businesses are looking to reduce premiums, while still providing quality benefits to employees. HSA California takes HDHPs and HSAs to a new level by not only offering affordable benefits, but packaging three top California health plans in one program – each employee can choose a different health plan – a choice no other program in the state offers. As the market continues to change, we believe brokers will continue to adopt HSAs as an applicable solution for many clients.
HSA Resources: Our experience has been that the newer brokers are
faster to adopt HSAs and a great entre vehicle to pitch to prospects. Some of our brokers have used HDHPs and HSAs as a successful means to pitch groups long held by other brokers.
Kaiser Permanente: We are seeing more commission structures on a PMPM.
Sterling HSA: Brokers who think this is the right thing to do for their clients place them in an HDHP/HSA. If they don’t introduce at least the idea to their clients, they risk losing them to someone who will. Many brokers use the HSA concept as a marketing advantage to grow business in their book.
UnitedHealth Group: Brokers realize that the CDH plans are experiencing rapid adoption and they are doing their best to offer their customers the product that is right for them.24. Will high-deductible health plans actually reduce utilization?
Aetna: We see continued positive signs of cost control and consumer engagement in Aetna’s studies of HRA and HSA results.
Anthem Blue Cross: The Blue Cross Lumenos HSA plans are designed to help consumers become better, more knowledgeable users of healthcare services. Online tools, educational programs, and benefit designs encourage consumers to understand how to manage their conditions; get the best value from their healthcare services; prepare for doctor visits or surgeries; and most of all, get the most from their saved healthcare dollar. Inappropriate and wasteful healthcare is reduced when consumers are smarter, more cost conscious users of healthcare services.
Blue Shield of California: It is to be determined if HSA-eligible high--deductible health plans reduce utilization. Satisfaction is increased when HSA-eligible plans are offered in tandem with wellness programs and an emphasis on preventive care.
CIGNA: We believe that consumerism products (HRA and HSA) offered as part of a comprehensive package of communication, member education and access to reliable and actionable information will reduce the overall employer medical trend. CIGNA HealthCare’s two-year experience study of CDHP plans provides evidence supporting consumer-driven health plans as an effective approach to reducing health care “trend” without compromising quality of care.
Health Net of California: When consumers understand the true costs of health care services, they tend to investigate treatment options more fully and partner with their doctor to make the appropriate health care decisions. Generally, this has led to appropriate levels of utilization, which helps lower health care spending. Furthermore, Health Net offers its members a Subimo Treatment Cost AdvisorSM and WebMD® Hospital Comparison Report at www.healthnet.com, where members may research general treatment costs based on local/geographic average costs.
HSA California: The goal of an HDHP is to allow employees and their families to control what they spend on healthcare. It’s still too early to tell whether utilization will actually be reduced by offering plans with higher deductibles.
HSA Resources: Yes, we believe that high deductible plans and consumerism in general reduce utilization in general and will lead to consumers selecting less expensive means to address their medical needs.
Kaiser Permanente: Because of the newness of these products, we are still evaluating the impact on utilization.
Sterling HSA: Yes, we believe it will and sufficient evidence supports this idea. People make different buying decisions when they are paying with their own pocketbook. It is supported by early data in the Buck Study and Blue Cross Blue Shield studies and by what we are seeing with our large group clients. According to claims data, there has been a significant reduction in utilization. On top of that, we know that our account holders are saving a significant portion of their HSA funds (about 60%). We believe that is because they want to conserve cash to cover their deductible limits on their health plan in the event of a significant medical expense and to save for future costs as well.
UnitedHealth Group: A series of studies from UnitedHealthcare in 2006 and 2007 create a solid body of evidence illustrating that CDH plans are delivering positive changes in health care behaviors and costs for both employers and consumers:
• A December 2007 study found that CDH plans constrain costs and utilization over time;
• A September 2008 study found that Health Savings Accounts encourage saving among all consumer segments, including low-income populations as well as white-collar professionals;
• An April 2007 study of preventive and chronic-care services confirms that the above gains do not come at the expense of vulnerable populations or discourage individuals from seeking needed care.25. How can vendors make HSAs more effective and attractive for brokers?
Aetna: Make the sales process as simple as possible and give brokers tools that allow them to present these options to employers and employees effectively.
Anthem Blue Cross: Vendors can make HSAs more effective by streamlining and simplifying the enrollment and communication processes.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield only offers HSA-eligible high--deductible health plans.
CIGNA: Provide information to help brokers understand the consumer advantages of the HSA product, provide products and processes that are easily understood by employers and support the member education at enrollment on an ongoing basis.
Health Net of California: Vendors can make the sales process as simple as possible and give brokers tools to allow them to present plan options to employers and employees.
HSA California: Education is the key. It’s important that brokers are comfortable explaining the concept of an HSA and how it can work to completely satisfy the needs of clients, employees and families. HSA California and The Bancorp Bank provide a number of educational resources for brokers to help them better explain HSAs to clients. For more information on these materials, brokers can call us anytime at 866.251.4625.
HSA Resources: HSAs.
Kaiser Permanente: Offer turnkey case installation, communication tools, and sales support.
Sterling HSA: We support the broker channel with sales support, training, and education. Our Web site has sales tools for brokers and consultants who have registered with Sterling. These include spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and other sales material.
UnitedHealth Group: Make quoting, set up, and enrollment as simple as possible for the broker. Provide as much broker training as possible. Provide simple communication materials for HR staff and the enrollees. Leverage the experience and materials of your health plan partner, who can offer communications materials and other tools to provide assistance.26. Will consumers purchase plans for their traditional health plan features and view the HSA account as a perk to cover short-term medical expenses or will the primary purchase decision focus more on long-term financial planning to cover immediate and long term medical expenses and to reduce tax liability?
Aetna: We see both with the latter being more common.
Anthem Blue Cross: We believe that nearly all consumers will benefit from these types of plans. Consumers managing chronic or multiple health issues can benefit from the health coaching programs designed to help them manage their conditions. Healthier people will benefit from the strong focus on prevention and wellness that these plans offer. Lower income consumers can benefit from the lower premiums and the information on how to compare the cost of services; higher income consumers will benefit from the greater tax savings from the HSA account. When you look at it from both the micro and macro consumer perspective, we believe everyone benefits from the fundamentals found in these plans -- more information on health and healthcare costs, 100% covered preventive benefits, and the protection of comprehensive coverage with an annual and affordable out of pocket maximums.
Blue Shield of California: From a broker perspective, they would like higher referral fees from the HSA administrator and ease of enrolling their client into an HSA.
CIGNA: CIGNA has found an equitable mix of HSA spenders and savers,
Health Net of California: Health Net believes consumers view HSA accounts as alternatives to traditional coverage, rather than “perks.” This allows for longer-term planning and more control over the member’s expenses.
HSA California: It depends on the individual consumer. Having funds available in an HSA for short-term medical expenses is a great feature. However, the long-term advantages are equally important. The ability to save HSA funds and earn interest tax-free year-after-year, provides the unique value inherent in HSAs. An HSA is a perfect savings vehicle to add to a long-term savings portfolio next to a 401(k), IRA or any retirement medium.
HSA Resources: HSA vendors can do more to educate both the employers and employees about the benefits of an HSA. We often see employees that are frustrated with the switch to an HSA and confused. We focus our attention on making sure the employee gets the most value from their HSA and fully understands the benefits of the HSA. This results in a more successful implementation. We also work hard to make sure the employer is not surprised by a compliance or technical rule. The HSA concept is fairly straight-forward, but the implementation can be complex and problematic if you do not have an experience provider that knows the pitfalls and helps clients avoid them.
Kaiser Permanente: We see are seeing both savers and spenders adopt the HSA account as a perk to cover short-term medical expenses or will the primary purchase decision focus more on long-term financial planning to cover immediate and long term medical expenses and to reduce tax liability?
Sterling HSA: The latter appears to be the case. More than 60% of our account holders do not use their money at all. Of the small percentage that use the funds, the primary uses are for doctor visits, pharmaceuticals, dental (especially orthodontia), and hospital costs. Now that Medicare part B is means tested, I believe that more of the Baby Boomer generation will be putting money aside to pay those premium costs and costs that Medicare does not cover. This is truly a new way to finance the costs related to health care. In today’s economic climate the HSA is a great way to budget for medical, dental and vision expenses as well.
UnitedHealth Group: Based on research from OptumHealthBank released in April 2007, HSA accountholders typically can be categorized into one of three basic patterns of account usage: Spenders, savers and investors. Roughly half of OptumHealthBank 400,000 accountholders are spenders and most of the remaining are Savers. While less than 5 percent of today’s HSA population are Investors, this may someday be the largest group based on early, accelerating balance trajectories. OptumHealthBank Spenders carry balances that hover between $400 and $600, spend 80 percent of contributions on current medical expenses and contribute an average of $133 per month. OptumHealthBank Savers hold a balance of nearly $1,500 on average and spend less than 10 percent of contributions to their account. OptumHealthBank Investors are the most active contributors with the highest total balances and highest expected tax savings, holding over $2,000 in bank balances and, on average, investing another $3,000 in any combination of OptumHealthBank eight highly regarded non-proprietary mutual funds.
27. Do you envision interest in an HSA eligible HMO (low-cost) plan?Aetna: Yes, since January 2006, Aetna has offered an HMO HSA in some markets.
Anthem Blue Cross: Yes, we do believe that there is a market for it. However, integrated deductible administration is a challenge for our medical groups. The capitated HMO model is still a very strong, low cost product in California.
Blue Shield of California: Statistics are showing that consumers are using their HSAs for both purposes, though the investment dollars in HSA accounts are growing at a rapid pace
CIGNA: We have not seen significant interest at this time.
Health Net of California: Yes, Health Net of California is exploring an HSA HMO plan.
HSA California: Yes.
HSA Resources: Obviously, we already see a lot of both. In most groups.However, most employees need the HSA to pay for immediate medical expenses. A smaller percentage opens HSAs for the tax break and future financial security. We see many referrals from accountants and financial planners. As individuals get a better definition of their lifetime health care costs HSAs will become more of a financial planning instrument.
Kaiser Permanente: Yes.
Sterling HSA: We have been seeing the first of these products available in California as of January 2007. Western Health Advantage is partnering with Sterling HSA to provide that very product through their broker channel. Kaiser rolled out their HMO/HSA compatible product in January 2007 as well.
UnitedHealth Group: Yes.28. Which geographic areas and consumer demographics are brokers seeing a demand for competitive individual and family plan HSAs?
Aetna: We are not in that market segment, so we cannot respond.
Anthem Blue Cross: Being our HSA plans are consumer centric and come with strong preventive benefits, we are seeing strong demand across all territories and demographics.
Blue Shield of California: Yes.
CIGNA: At this time, we do not offer an individual/family plan in California so we do not have information on this market.
Health Net of California: The broker community is the primary driver of HSA sales, and Health Net is seeing strong patterns of HSA sales as broker awareness increases. The demand for HSA products is generated by employers looking for a way to lower their health care bill and give their employees more control and responsibility for keeping costs low. Health Net sees a nationwide trend toward HSA products and consumerism.
HSA California: We’re seeing growing interest throughout the state.
HSA Resources: It varies significantly; we see a large number of HSAs in white collar jobs where employers are seeking to utilize another vehicle for tax savings. Similarly, we see HSAs growing in start-ups and blue collar jobs with employers seeking to minimize health care costs.
Kaiser Permanente: We are seeing demand across all geographies and demographics.
Sterling HSA: We know that the early Baby Boomer is very interested in choosing a HDHP/HSA product. Areas with high PPO concentration and reduced pricing are high sales areas. The individual market has been a PPO market for some time and was the first to migrate to the HSA. Some individuals already have a HDHP and now have a tax advantaged way to pay for medical expenses or save for retirement
UnitedHealth Group: All.29. What problems, if any, have you encountered with HSA eligible plans?
Aetna: None
Anthem Blue Cross: We have made pricing adjustments to reflect market conditions that weren’t entirely consistent with some of our initial projections. But overall, we don’t anticipate these adjustments are going to diminish interest or acceptance and are optimistic that this next iteration reflects the sustainability that we and our customers are looking for in such offerings.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield experience indicates that the broker interest in IFP HSAs is statewide.
CIGNA: We have not encountered problems with the administration of the HSA eligible plans. One of the challenges of introducing these plans is to educate the member on the value of the plan and the tools to become actively engaged in the management and maintenance of their own health care.
Health Net of California: Health Net has not encountered any problems with HSA-eligible plans.
HSA California: We haven’t encountered any problems with our benefit plan designs.
HSA Resources: it varies significantly; we see a large number of HSAs in white collar jobs where employers are seeking to utilize another vehicle for tax savings. Similarly, we see HSAs growing in start-ups and blue collar jobs with employers seeking to minimize health care costs.
Kaiser Permanente: Because HSA plans are so new, the problems are mostly due to a lack of understanding of the plans and how they work. To alleviate this, Kaiser Permanente is developing extensive training materials and marketing collateral for employers, employees/individuals, and brokers.
Sterling HSA: The biggest problem is that some of the carriers have not priced them competitively enough. Employers want to see enough of a differential in cost and deductible limits. Carriers that have priced the products most competitively are finding the greatest opportunity to sell. The carriers that get creative on the first dollar coverage will also be very attractive to people. The plans that mirror the deducitble amount as the out of pocket maximum are also very attractive.
UnitedHealth Group: The main challenge with the HSA product is educating the consumer to take financial responsibility when receiving health services. Most consumers are used to dealing with a health insurance company or their bank. The HSA product is more than the sum of its parts; it involves educating the members and encouraging them to ask financial questions when seeking and receiving health services.30. How has your plan changed from last year?
Aetna: The HSA investment service was added.
Anthem Blue Cross: In 2005, Blue Cross’ parent company, WellPoint Inc., acquired Lumenos Inc., an expert in consumer driven HSA and HRA plans. In 2007, we introduced the Blue Cross Lumenos plans to replace our HDHPs with Chase as the HSA administrator. These are the primary changes we’ve brought to the market in the past year.
Blue Shield of California: We have not encountered any specific issues relative to HSA-eligible plans.
CIGNA: We have added enhanced decision support tools including the Health Risk Assessment. CIGNA HealthCare has entered into a long-term agreement with the University of Michigan providing access to the use of analytics that help consumers and CIGNA identify and address health risks and help employers develop worksite health and wellness programs. New online coaching capability invites immediate, active participation in online behavior change modules, pushing targeted follow-up based on HRA responses.
Health Net of California: In 2007, Bank of America was made the financial administrator/custodian and provider of the debit card, and remains as the administrator for 2009.
HSA California: Western Health Advantage (WHA) was added to HSA California on Jan. 1, bringing more than 1,900 physicians to employees in Northern California. WHA joins Health Net and Kaiser Permanente as the three health plans available in HSA California – the only fully-integrated small-group HSA program with multiple carriers in California.
HSA Resources: We have eliminated our set-up fee and added a variety of employer based tools including our HSA Admin. Center designed to simplify HSA contributions.
Kaiser Permanente: There wil also be a change in deductible accumulation for Deductible Plans with HSA. To make it easier for family members to satisfy their deductible, we’ve changed how deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums accumulate for family coverage in two of our HSA-qualified plans—our $30/$2,700 Deductible Plan with HSA and $0/2,700 Deductible Plan with HSA. With these plans, each family member will now become eligible to pay copayments after meeting his or her individual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. (Previously, the entire family deductible and out-of-pocket maximum had to be met before copayments were applied for individual family members).
Sterling HSA: Sterling HSA has seen rapid rapid growth and increased deposits. Every sector of business is now in the process of moving to the Consumer Directed Model. Brokers have become much more knowledgeable about HSAs and are presenting it across the board to their clients. We have also seen many clients move from a multiple option program to a total replacement of their program either initially or at renewal.
UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealthcare has added three new account options to help customers select the type of account that best matches their usage of the HSA.
• The Health eAccess account type is targeted toward the spender, offering a free or low-cost account for those who spend the majority of their balances
• The Health eSaver account type is for those who save balances, offering a very competitive interest rate for higher balances
• While all accounts can invest funds, the Health eInvestor offers a lower threshold, allowing customers to invest all funds over $500.