Currently, patients with high deductible health plans and health savings accounts have to pay for treatment of chronic illnesses out-of-pocket until they have reached their required deductible. According to IRS Notice 2019-45, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma, will reduce their financial burden prior to reaching their health plan deductible.
The notice, which becomes effective on January 1, 2020, states that the service or item needed must be low cost and supported by medical evidence showing that it will prevent the chronic condition from getting worse or causing other related health issues.
According to Fidelity Investments, a couple retiring this year can expect to spend $285,000 on medical expenses during their retirement. And while the rate of healthcare cost increases has slowed in recent years, Americans are living longer, meaning they will need to address the cost of healthcare for a longer period of time.
Employees will be able to save some additional healthcare dollars in 2020 as the IRS will increase the limit on deductible contributions to an HSA by $50 for individuals and $100 for families. The limits will be $3,550 for individuals with self-only coverage and $7,100 for family coverage. The minimum deductible for a qualifying high deductible health plan will also increase, rising to $1,400 for single coverage and $2,800 for family coverage
While EBRI researchers have reported slower growth rates in recent years, more than 40% of HSA enrollees opened their accounts in just the past two years. Other recent projections, in fact, expect the value of HSA accounts to grow from $54 billion in 2018 to nearly $75 billion in 2020. Proposals floating around Washington could expand the list of HSA-eligible expenses as well as the age at which seniors must stop contributing to their HSA. Proposals like these would make HSAs even more valuable in the future.
Since 2007, adults ages 18 to 64 with employment-based coverage have increasingly chosen High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP), both with and without Health Savings Accounts
While it may not yet be widespread, some companies are looking for ways to use voice-activated assistants such as Siri and Emma to provide plan members with answers about annual contribution limits, account balances and other details regarding flexible spending accounts, HSAs, HRAs and more. Many hope that linking these intelligent assistants to a mobile app will make it easier than ever for members to get answers to questions when they need them.
We often hear of professional athletes succeeding under pressure by staying “in the moment” and remaining focused on the things that are within their control. This challenge can be applied to the uncomfortable position all of us find ourselves in today – somewhere between complying with existing laws and anticipating the unknowns coming from Washington.
Health savings accounts are hot, with nearly two-thirds of respondents to a Plan Sponsor Council of America survey saying they believe that even those without a high deductible health plan should qualify. A benefit often cited by employers and employees alike is that HSAs can be a valuable part of one’s retirement strategy, since healthcare expenses are viewed as one of the largest people face in retirement.