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Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)

Like an HSA, an MSA is a tax-exempt account that allows account holders covered by a high-deductible health plan to save for future medical expenses. But the introduction of the more flexible HSA (described above) has made the MSA obsolete.

MSA Eligibility

The MSA, also known as the Archer MSA, was created specifically for self-employed individuals and small business employees.

MSA Tax Treatment

An MSA offers the same tax benefits as an HSA (see "HSA Tax Treatment," above).

MSA Contributions and Distributions

You can no longer open a new MSA and you cannot contribute additional money into an existing MSA. You can, however, continue to maintain an existing MSA and take tax-free distributions to pay for qualified medical expenses. If the account still has a balance when you retire, it will be converted to an individual retirement account (IRA).


Unless you are disabled, MSA distributions for anything other than qualified medical expenses prior to age 65 are subject to income taxes and a 15% penalty. Distributions made after age 65 for non-qualified expenses are subject to income taxes, but there is no penalty.

The account balance can roll over from year to year.


An existing MSA can be left open or rolled over to an HSA. Californians may want to maintain their MSA -- unlike an HSA, the account enjoys the same tax treatment on the state level -- and open an HSA for future contributions.


There is much more to know about each of these accounts. To learn more about the particular type of account that is available to you or that you are considering establishing, check with your employer or see IRS Publication 969, Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans. To order the publication, call 800-TAX-FORM or visit the IRS online, at www.irs.gov.


To learn about health insurance benefits granted you by law,


To Learn More About HSAs

If you ares an independent contractor, freelancer or consultant and want to know more about HSAs, see Working for Yourself, by Stephen Fishman (Nolo).


by: Monica Steinisch


Source:  Nolo.com


Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)                                                          < Previous Page

(Page 2 of 2 of Types of Medical Expense Accounts )



An HSA is a tax-exempt account that allows account holders to use employer contributions and earnings to pay future medical expenses.

An eligible individual may establish an HSA at any number of banks, credit unions, insurance companies, or other entities that meet IRS requirements. Or, the account may be established as part of an employee benefits program.

HSA Eligibility

To be eligible for an HSA, you:



You may or may not be eligible for an HSA if your employer offers a flexible spending account or a health reimbursement arrangement; it depends on the particular account the company offers.

HSA Tax Treatment

There are three ways to reduce your federal taxes with an HSA.



State tax treatment of HSAs varies according to your state's law.

HSA Contributions and Distributions

Contributions to an HSA can come from you, your employer (if the company offers such a benefit), or both.

For 2010, the maximum contribution, from all sources, for individual coverage is $3,050, and the maximum contribution for family coverage is $6,150. A catch-up provision of $1,000 also applies for participants who are between 55 and 65 years old. (You cannot continue to contribute to an HSA after you are eligible for Medicare.)

You can withdraw funds from your HSA, tax-free, to pay for any qualified medical expense not paid by your health plan. Qualified medical expenses are defined in IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.

If you use your HSA funds for anything other than qualified medical expenses, you will pay taxes on the withdrawal. If you are not disabled or older than 65, you also will be subject to a 10% penalty.

Unlike a flexible spending arrangement (discussed below), an HSA allows unused funds to roll over from year to year. There is no limit on how much you can accumulate in your HSA for future use. To learn more about HSAs,


You own your HSA. That means the account goes with you when you leave the company, even if it was established and funded as an employer-sponsored benefit.