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COLUMN BY SUSAN HILL |
PREVIOUS COLUMNSBeyond Margarine-Bewildered About Trans and Other Fats? Unfluenza-Everything You Need to Know about Not Getting Influenza Squeamish about a Colonoscopy? Got GERD? It's More Than Burps and Belches Make Vitamin D When the Sun Shines Vaccinate Our Daughters Against Cancer Artificial Sweeteners—Are They a Sweet Deal—or Not Extremes at Both Ends - Anorexia and Bulimia to Obesity Making sense of Cholesterol's ABCs |
SIMPLY HEALTH: Are You Going Naked?
posted 07/21/2008 | |
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We will all pay more-with higher demand for expensive emergency care, sicker people with more advanced disease, higher death rates, lower worker productivity-more people will be dependent on "the system" than contributing to it. Is this the direction we want to be headed? In 2006, 13 percent of Washington State residents were uninsured and in 2007, 47 million were uninsured nationwide. Even those with good jobs may not have health care benefits. Employers are also feeling the economic pinch and unable to keep up with insurance premiums that have been rising seven percent per year. It now costs over $12,000. per year for traditional family coverage. Today, less than 60 percent of workers are covered by employer-provided health insurance. It is no wonder that 20 percent of people said they had put off or gone without needed medical treatment in a survey conducted last year. |
AMERICA'S UNINSURED
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What can you do besides going naked and risking bankruptcy? Think about health insurance as an investment in yourself, not an investment in the insurance company. Do all you can to stay healthy-exercise regularly, quit smoking, eat sensibly. Then get your regular preventive screenings like a physical, Pap smear, mammogram, colonoscopy and lab tests. Investing in yourself and a Health Savings Account (HSA) health insurance plan is a great way to get the discounts that come with being insured, yet avoid paying high premiums to insurance companies. Let's take a look at the Health Savings Account (HSA) health insurance plan. This type of health insurance is available to anyone, and your employer may be open to considering this as an affordable option. These plans are attractive to many small business owners since they provide flexible health coverage that is affordable yet shares the cost between employer and employee. HSA plans take a little understanding though; they are different from other health insurance plans. Here's how they work. | ||
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An HSA plan combines paying lower insurance premiums with putting aside savings earmarked for medical expenses. Both you and your employer can contribute to this savings account. You pay a monthly premium to the insurance company which is much lower than other plans, generally less than half the usual premium. Through the insurance company, you are able to take advantage of discounted fees for medical services and prescriptions. Most plans cover some preventive care services before the deductible is applied. There is a higher deductible--about $1500 for an individual and $3000 for a family-but don't let that sum frighten you. Instead of paying higher premiums and co-pays, you put your money into a special savings account that pays you interest (some even give investment options). Then, when you need health care, you pay for it from your HSA funds, deciding where you want to spend your health care dollar. These accounts use a check book, debit card or both, or you can simply keep a record of your expenses and reimburse yourself periodically. HSA funds can pay for medical costs but also chiropractic, acupuncture, dental, massage therapy, eyeglasses-many things a regular insurance plan may not cover that you would pay for out of pocket. And the bonus is-your taxable income is reduced by the amount of your HAS contribution-lowering the taxes you pay! |
HSA HEALTH PLANS
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Health Savings Accounts put you in charge of your health care dollar. There are no co-pays or other ways of nickel-and-diming you to death. You have major medical coverage should you need hospitalization, and short of that, you can keep your costs down and get the healthcare you want and need. Check out an HSA plan-they can cover your behind. For more information about HSAs go to the following Web sites: www.treas.gov/offices/public-affairs/hsa/ for general information and questions. www.eHealthInsurance.com for a variety of insurance quotes including HSA plans. Susan C. Hill © 2008 To comment on the column, email susan@sanjuanislander.com |
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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