Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio soon offer new health plan options for employers and individuals designed to help them to lead healthier lives and gain control over the rising cost of care.

from: Business Journal 

Most people are using their accounts to save rather than spend,” explained Laing, author of The Small Business Guide to HSAs and The Consumer’s Guide to Health Savings Accounts. “So, their account balances are building, and they’re finding that people want to go into different things, like investment products, to get a higher return.”

from: Baxter Bulletin

For example, a healthy, 25-year-old male in Indiana might pay a $40-a-month premium under Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s plan, which would include prescription drug coverage and preventative exams, according to Anthem. Deductibles for Anthem’s individual health insurance plans range from $2,000 to $10,000. The higher the deductible, the lower the monthly premium.

from: FW Business 

According to a study by the federal General Accountability Office, between 5 million and 6 million Americans were enrolled in such plans as of January 2006. While these consumers represent a fraction of Americans enrolled in private health insurance plans, this share is growing quickly.

from: Bankrate.com

HSAs are giving individuals and families control over their healthcare dollars, which is injecting more consumerism and choice into the healthcare marketplace.

from: The Hill

The Massachusetts plan creates a new consumer-driven marketplace (the Connector) where individ­uals and employees of small businesses can pur­chase health care coverage from a variety of competing health insurance plans.

from The Heritage Foundation

There are tax advantages that accompany an HSA. Employer contributions are made on a pre-tax basis while employee and individual contributions can be deducted from the federal tax return even for someone who doesn’t itemize. Interest accrued is non-taxable. Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax free.

from the Rutland Herald:

The lack of individually owned, portable insurance is particularly burdensome for many women who are married to older men. When husbands retire and enroll in Medicare, wives can be left without coverage, because Medicare won’t allow enrollees to sign up underage spouses.

from the Heartland Institute:

 The idea behind HSAs is that, by accepting a higher deductible, you can lower your premium. Then you set aside the money you save in the health savings account.

from the Salt Lake Tribune:

The idea behind HSAs is that, by accepting a higher deductible, you can lower your premium. Then you set aside the money you save in the health savings account.

from the L.A. Times