tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post3823661186342346689..comments2024-01-01T15:35:12.954-07:00Comments on Simple Utah Mormon Politics: Health Coverage: We Aren't Insured, We're InsulatedFrank Stahelihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-60890049456857770272007-10-12T19:47:00.000-06:002007-10-12T19:47:00.000-06:00I wish I did. There were a couple of other commen...I wish I did. There were a couple of other commenters here who do have HSA's but I'm not sure where they're from.<BR/><BR/>If you find out, let me know. <BR/><BR/>But the only way it would work for me is if my employer would pay me what it pays for my health care if I decided to go for an HSA policy externally (not sponsored by my employer).Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-87247538119183011702007-10-12T14:09:00.000-06:002007-10-12T14:09:00.000-06:00I'm looking for an agent who is knowledgeable abo...I'm looking for an agent who is knowledgeable about HSAs in the Provo area. I'm self employed. Any recommendations? ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-37920765817790183662007-09-28T10:36:00.000-06:002007-09-28T10:36:00.000-06:00In my humble opinion, I think having an HSA discou...In my humble opinion, I think having an HSA discourages initial care, but I think the benefit is that it makes people think before they go to see a doctor, and so doctors can focus on real problems, not people who are just nervous about a cold or flu.<BR/><BR/>I think the government offering a tax credit for Health Insurance would be a good step forward, although I think this is offered already. The problem I see, is that once the government get's it's nose further into the tent, we're closer to them becomming the proverbial camel that knocks everyone else out of the tent.<BR/><BR/>I'm switching to an HSA as soon as re-enrollment comes around again here at work!Urban Kodahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01327437055164051853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-20474034506484278792007-09-28T09:36:00.000-06:002007-09-28T09:36:00.000-06:00I saw a small blurb in the paper the other day abo...I saw a small blurb in the paper the other day about the universal health care in Utah. It's interesting how these people feel almost like it's their messianic mission to force health care on the rest of us, and ruin things in the process.<BR/><BR/>I think there is no evidence that HSA's would discourage preventative care (but I need to study more on this), simply for the fact that people who don't prevent would be required to pay for the consequences.Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-80651086198986804172007-09-27T19:16:00.000-06:002007-09-27T19:16:00.000-06:00The criticism you will get from another perspectiv...The criticism you will get from another perspective on this is that HSAs provide a high incentive for people to forego early and/or preventative care, so that costs down the road (financial and healthwise) will be more severe. I do not know if there is any research that backs that up.<BR/><BR/>You may be interested to know that a broad group of movers and shakers in Utah are planning to try to push a universal health coverage plan through the 2008 legislative session that is based on the Massachusetts plan (see <A HREF="http://www.uwfinancialstability.org/images/stories/healthcare-proposals.pdf" REL="nofollow">here</A>).<BR/><BR/>This plan would force everyone in the state to buy a minimum insurance package from any qualified insurer. A board of political appointees would determine what the minimum package has to include. People would be free to buy more insurance. Those that "can afford to pay more" would pay more, while the poor would pay little or nothing. In other words, it's a wealth transfer system where people pay different prices for the same thing depending on how much money they earn. The unelected central board would have astonishing control over every single person's medical access.Scott Hinrichshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831447472339880148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-71808212885736084142007-09-27T13:32:00.000-06:002007-09-27T13:32:00.000-06:00FYI,I just contacted my health insurance provider,...FYI,<BR/><BR/>I just contacted my health insurance provider, Deseret Mutual, and the first person I talked to didn't even know what an HSA is, the second person did probably only because the first person explained it to him before she transferred me, and the third person told the second person to tell me that they <I>still</I> (see my comment, comment #2 in this post) don't offer it, but if I wanted to I could use their online Customer Suggestion form!Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-17343706930510190812007-09-27T13:15:00.000-06:002007-09-27T13:15:00.000-06:00David and Craig,It's extremely interesting to hear...David and Craig,<BR/><BR/>It's extremely interesting to hear from people that have HSAs, and even better that you like them.<BR/><BR/>For how so many of us live on the edge, the large deductible would be a bit of an obstacle, but it seems once you get on top of that, you're in great shape.<BR/><BR/>I guess the HSA option came about thru federal legislation in 2003? I don't know much about it, but <A HREF="http://economicspolitics.blogspot.com/2007/08/american-health-care-would-be-better-if.html" REL="nofollow">David Gratzer wrote</A> that it's still pretty limited in what it allows. Is this true?Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-4935209671849254322007-09-27T13:01:00.000-06:002007-09-27T13:01:00.000-06:00I have an HSA at work, and it's great. My employe...I have an HSA at work, and it's great. My employer even puts a little in my account every month. But several people at work don't like it because of the deductible, like David said. That's only an issue for a year or so; once you get your account balance up, you're all set.<BR/><BR/>Bush's plan, which won't go anywhere, is to create a health insurance tax deduction. This would make it more attractive for people to buy their own insurance, and help break the job-insurance link that you correctly point out is so detrimental.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03558069223334537518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-70288757671947764002007-09-27T08:58:00.000-06:002007-09-27T08:58:00.000-06:00HSA can only solve this crisis to the extent that ...HSA can only solve this crisis to the extent that people chose that option. I have a friend who chose not to participate in his employers health coverage - choosing instead to pay for his own High Deductible plan with an HSA.<BR/><BR/>I am lucky to have an HSA plan option through my employer - between my employer and me we pay $6000 in premiums plus I am contributing to the HSA so this route costs just over half of what you are being offered. We have spent less than $1000 so far this year from the HSA. It really does make me feel richer knowing that I'm putting money away in case I need any expensive health care treatment.<BR/><BR/>So my point is that more employers need to offer an HSA option, and more people need to know what it is and choose it. Unfortunately most people look at the high deductible and choose the more expensive options (I think I'm the only person at my company using an HSA).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-71608357651114068512007-09-27T08:13:00.000-06:002007-09-27T08:13:00.000-06:00Before I had ever studied this issue, I asked my e...Before I had ever studied this issue, I asked my employer if they could offer a catastrophic health plan, which now I understand it to be the same thing as an HSA. It seemed logical to me before anyone ever described it, and now it seems even more like it will solve the health cost crisis that we have.Frank Stahelihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01822334061980912687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25646979.post-30320687312484409492007-09-27T08:11:00.000-06:002007-09-27T08:11:00.000-06:00I'm glad you noted the difference between the FSA ...I'm glad you noted the difference between the FSA and HSA because it seems like most folks think they're the same thing. (I've even had some folks in payroll departments swear that they're the same thing. These are the people setting up paycheck deductions!) I'd love to be able to opt out of our company's "normal" insurance plan for an HSA with high-deductible insurance for emergencies. I'd feel a lot more in control of my finances and I'd be able to save up for the expensive health care of my golden years (albeit they're a good 40 years away).Jesse Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468928702710912142noreply@blogger.com