New HSA Rules...coolio!

New HSA rules via InsureBlog.com.


Rucking Insurance Services is a BIG fan of these plans, and I DO know the rules, IE, what's qualified, what ain't....

Inquire within...

Friday Afternoon Pre-Match Warm-ups

Does your warm-up include beer?

Anyway, here's the latest regarding Health Insurance in CA. (Why can't politicians go after the people end up getting the money: Hospitals, Doctors, and Pharma companies? Price controls? Or, at least, release the charges for each procedure to the public!)

• Insurance Commish cries, "You're using the boots to my head!" Damn right they are... (hat tip: Insureblog.com)
• Here's a great solution to the HSA/Preventive care challenge. Otherwise, only the well-off can afford the tax savings. As posted here before, RI believes that ALL health care dollars should be pre-tax dollars.
• The previous link's solution is corroborated here. Okay, so I have a Health Savings Account, BFD. If I don't go see a Doctor when I'm sick, the condition could exponentially worsen, costing more money.
• Here's where you get your preventive plan: Sam's Club! RI will be check this out, and comparing it to my local health care boutique, One Medical.
  

Basically, I'd like to see HSA-qualified plans with unlimited preventive visits. You can do that with the purchase of an HSA-qualified plan, then joining a health care boutique. Could be tight for the lower incomes. Ergo, a combo plan might be it.

But this is all speculative bullshit if the hospitals, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies continue to charge whatever they want sans transparency, and gov't just blindly writes checks.

Cutting Commissions and Raising Rates does not help you Score Tries!!!

If you tell me I make less money, and, you tell me that my customers will need to pay more, I'll find another company.

This is why Obamacare is dangerous.

If you're healthy, don't worry, you'll be fine. HSA plans aren't going away any time soon.

If you have a "pre-existing condition", you're screwed. Sorry, but that's the truth of it.

(If you think single payer will solve this, you're partially right. If you have money, you'll enter the top tier of the two-tier healthcare system that will develop in the US. If you don't even have money for rugby club dues... you are SOL.)

Massive Rate increases already happening in CA

The Blues are about to jack up rates around 20%.

They can do this because they are spending 70% of premium on health care costs.  Once they hit this ratio, they are allowed, by law, to increase rates. 

Remember, Obamacare didn't address COSTS, which are rising like youth rugby in America.  IMHO, the rise in costs is due to the lack of transparency, and the low amount competition in the health care industry.  The solution is to shop your health care, use an HSA, and use a health boutique for your health maintenance needs.

As I've written a 100 times before...

Ironically, companies like Value Benefits of America are thriving because their plans cover what people need, and not subject to the lunatic laws of each individual state.  Here again, lies a solution:  Allowing insurance to compete across state lines, and allow them to tailor benefits according to the market, not to state lawmakers looking to stay state lawmakers.  (Gov't reps are like that guy you meet in an Elevator wearing YOUR team's jersey. "Hey, do you play for Mumbles RFC?" "Yeah!" "So, you know Bob the Blob?"  "Yeah, he's awesome!"  And as the jackass leaves the elevator, you smile knowing that Bob the Blob died in the 80s.)

Anyway, your premiums will continue to go up if you purchase traditional PPO or HMO insurance.

Or, listen to me...

Few HSA Changes for the New Health Bill

Very few changes for the HSA portion of the Health Care Bill.  Nothing really.  You won't be able to apply OTC drugs to your HSA. 

No biggie.

However, it's not looking good in Mass.  Plus, another state with highly regulated, guarantee issue plans, NY, finds a major hospital in NYC closing.

Solution?  I like the idea of a Federal High Risk Pool, and maybe a $10/mo/plan charge on all health insurance plans.  Family plan?  $10 extra a month, not $40 for the wife and two kids. 

Guarantee issue won't work.  Period. 

Funding the HSA...um, you don't have to, but...

You don't have to pay your dues to the Rugby Club. You can hope that you still get to play, maybe you'll have to line the pitch, or take out the post-match trash.

Or, you won't get to play. As it should be...

HSAs. Health Savings Accounts. If you have an HSA qualified plan, you don't have to fund the HSA.

You can hope you don't get hurt, maybe you buy a supplemental plan to cover injuries, or you'll go into debt by charging your deductible and coinsurance onto a credit card.

Or, You won't get the tax advantages. You won't be fully insured.

And, therefore, you won't get to play. As it should be...

Craziest Thing on my Safeway Receipt...

I love Safeway, because they usually have 2 for 1 specials on meat.

And, this...

On my receipt: "Look for the # sign on your receipt for possible Health Care Flex Spending Account items for reimbursement."

That's freakin' Genius!!!

Meat, and HSA qualified expenses...boo yah!

Bringing a new Rugger home from the Hospital!!!

I'm old. I have a Son, Connor. Others that I've played Rugby have also aged, and reproduced.

Bringing new Ruggers into the world is sheer AWESOMENESS.

At least until you get the hospital bill.

Remember, go through your plan to determine how pregnancy is handled. Especially in terms of deductible, since your new Inside Center might have to satisfy his own deductible the moment he emerges.

If you have an HSA qualified plan, most likely pregnancy is NOT covered. However, you'll have the option to move over to a plan that includes pregnancy, with no additional underwriting, but the premium will change.

The world needs more Rugby Players. Breeding is a good start!!!

Go INDIANA Go! Health Care Reform can WORK!!!

I think all Ruggers should buy three things:

1. High Deductible HSA qualified health insurance.
2. Accident Medical Plan
3. Beer

Indiana has made PROGRESS in health care reform, by sticking to the Personal Responsibility concept and HSAs. The FIRST dollar portion for the subsidized users is BRILLIANT.

Ruggers know Personal Responsibility from our game. We don't depend on others making tackles for us, hitting rucks, etc. etc. Rugby is the sport of ultimate personal responsibility, for as one player can't win a match alone, one player can easily lose a match for their team.

The FEDS won't change a damn thing. They'll dump money into Health IT, that's about it. Even with a basic one-party rule, they're still cutting deals to keep the current system intact.

The Rugby way gives you direct access to your MD. You're in control of your game.

Go Hoosiers!

6 Tackles on Health Care

Here's six quick tackles regarding Health Care in the US:

• HSAs slowly take down chronic illness
• Gov't should tackle...
• Gov't will actually tackle...like a Flyhalf...nothing
  
• Here's where all the tackling money goes
• Don't stiff arm a California Consumer
• After the tackle, and you go to the ER

My HSAs, when funded, create the ability to handle chronic conditions. Add a few incentives, and boom, the sick are not getting tackled financially.

The Gov't...Poor Obama, looks like the job was a little bigger than some change we could believe in.

The last three tackles go to Health Care COSTS, the biggest driver of health insurance premiums.

People got sick. Blue Cross panicked, dropped them, and was forced to spend more money. Next time boys, hire better bean counters.

And, why a Minor Emergency Medical center for stitches and a busted shoulder? Because your not going to DIE, so get the hell out of the way.

If your Rugby team folds, you can just play for another, right?

Teams fold. Then, You just go play for another Club. It's part of the American game, an unfortunate result of our coaching dearth and absolute refusal to intro Rugby through school systems.

Oops, did I type that. This is supposed to be about your Health Insurance, right?

The metaphor here doesn't apply in Employer Sponsored Health Insurance. If your Employer goes out of business, you're fucked. No COBRA.

Understand, if you have employee benefits, you (and your family) are not screened for insurability. Employer based plans take all comers. That's why they are much more expensive than individual insurance.

If you have a pre-existing condition, like a bum shoulder or knee, or use the chiropractor, and then you lose your group benefits, you'll most likely not be able to get individual health insurance. Sucks, huh?

Here's the solution. Get your own Health Insurance plan, while your currently insured. Something with a High Deductible, and HSA qualified. Make sure Chiropractic is part of the plan, and you might have to suffer an exclusion rider for the busted joint. Not a biggee, especially if you're job goes under.

Next, how to pay for insurance without a job...

Universal HSAs for Ruggers!

I don't believe in HSAs.

My friend Ian, ruptured his Achilles tendon. He's from England, but injured himself in the States. He had surgery that week.

He said that if he'd injured himself back in England, it would've taken close to 6 months to a year to get a surgery schedule. Meanwhile, crutches.

High Deductible Insurance keeps you healthier, and in the Black.

Plus, utilizing Minor Emergency Medical Centers, keeps costs even lower for you.

If you're in the East Bay, go to Kaiser's in Oakland. If in San Francisco, the go to St. Mary's.

Get an High Deductible plan, and an HSA. Find the nearest minor emergency medical center in your area.

That's how we get Universal Rugger Cover.

Planning your Season

2009 will see a large increase in Health Care costs, thus your premiums will go up. That's for people who use their Employer's Health plan.

Also, state forced health coverage in Massachusetts has created a 100 day waiting period for a primary care physician, and many doctor's are no longer taking new patients. Could we end up with a postcode lottery, like England and Canada?

Luckily, solutions exist. Websites that allow you to compare and contrast health insurance policies will find a sharp increase in business.

For the Rugby Player, employer based health insurance is not the best option. That coverage is unsafe: The Boss might drop it mid-claim, or HR might screw up your claim, or...

A smart Rugger owns their health care plan(s). A smart Rugger has an HSA. A smart Rugger uses Minor Emergency Medical Clinics and Doc'n'the'Box at the local big-name pharmacy.

Are you a smart Rugger?

Monday Mystery Bruises

You limp into work, wondering exactly when that deep thigh bruise happened. Was in the match? Or at the Pub? Then, there's the tightness in your shoulder, and that scab from two weeks ago, the one on your elbow, has scraped off and requires neosporin.

Well, here's what ails me this Monday morning:

• Bob L. explains the history of Health Insurance premiums and health care costs. The change in America's health care system is obvious. Costs are as crazy as the 6 Euro beer I drank in Ireland. Always looking for boots and beer, Ruggers will flock to Health boutiques, HSA policies, and Accident Medical Plans. Short term, more out of pocket, long term, less.
• Which leads to the tightness in the Shoulder: Group plans have a lower maximum cap than an individual plan. (I'm using CA here, since the BS plan(s) I market have a 6 million lifetime max.) 2 Million is nothing. Nothing. One spinal injury, and you'll eat that in a few years. Smart players have their own health plans.
• And the scab is mental health. I've used counseling, but since I own my plan directly, I wasn't discriminated against.
  

Yes, the thigh bruise, tight shoulder, and bleeding elbow suck. Owning your own plan(s) can seem to be more expensive. Long term, you won't see the pitch again if you don't take responsibility for your own insurance and health care. I

t's not like you'll stop playing any time soon, so suck it up.

Rugby Players can't spell "Boutique" or "Concierge"

They'd better learn. Healthcare Boutique's and Concierge Medicine will keep you fit through the season.

Our injuries tend to manifest a day or two post match. A nag in the shoulder, a tweak in the knee, and a Monday with pain makes the day go slow.

Is it worth spending $600 at the ER to gets some ibuprofen? No.

If the injury persists over a season, we still don't hit the ER. Why? $600 at once is a lot of money.

But what if you paid a Doctor $50-100 a month, to have same day appointments, and the Doc's cell number. No lines. No waiting room. No ER bullshit. See Doctor, speak to Doctor.

At first Boutique Health was for the rich. However, for a young, unattached single person, this is a great supplement to an HSA qualified plan.

The small family too can benefit from Concierge Medicine. Little kids get sick, and an ER is the LAST place you want to take a child. Plus, no insurance cards, forms, or any other crap that gets in the way of your little girl and the Pediatrician.

And it makes total sense for the Primary Care Physician. PCPs are getting killed by insurance companies, because what they charge is out-pacing what the insurance companies can pay. So, if I have 500 customers, each paying 1000 a year, I'm making half a million. That dog hunts. (This, by the by, is the magic number for a successful insurance practice, auto-dealership, or any other commercial enterprise)

So learn to spell: B O U T I Q U E and C O N C I E R G E. Joining one will keep you rucking.

Don't go to the ER? Well, call first...

So, you've been rucked over. It happens. Then the decision comes, "Should I go to the Emergency Room?"

I say "yes", go to the ER, if you have purchased AMC coverage from BMK. Accident medical coverage is Rugby Insurance. Major Medical, like the HSA qualified plans I sell, are for MAJOR problems.

Injuries only get worse over time when not treated properly. Most of you will never get paid to play Rugby. So why fuck up a limited career by avoiding a few hundred bucks.

However, studies are showing that telemedicine is keeping ER's clear of non-emergency cases. This is good and bad. It might keep a Mom from bringing a kid with a runny nose to the Hospital, but the moment someone is "convinced" not to go to the ER, and dies, a lawyer gets buku rich.

Get AMC, and go to the ER. Then Call BMK to handle the fucking paper work.

Georgia Rugby: You can now ruck easier!!!

Those in Georgia can now ruck easier.

This trend will only continue. You'll be getting your HSA in the next season, along with a few tries.

...Okay, maybe no tries for the props.

Military Benefits and Rugby Players

If you use military benefits plans, or utilize the VA system, be forewarned.

MDs are dropping out of networks. It's becoming easier to take cash, usually from an HSA debit card, than deal with an insurance company.

Makes no sense to pay someone 50,000 a year, plus benefits, and payroll taxes, just to collect $0.42 on the dollar.

Buy your own HSA qualified plan. Subscribe to this blog. We'll will show you the way.

Walmart, Congress, and Rugby

Walmart continues to impress, like the Queensland Reds. The respective programs are young, but full of promise.

And Congress may actually do something interesting. The Northern Hemisphere is finally accepting the ELVs. Maybe Congress will embrace HSAs and getting the healthy out of the system.

Is Rugby (HSAs) for rich people only?

I've heard before that Rugby tends to be a white collar sport. Probably not as true today, but I remember my father saying, "Football is a gentlemen's game played by rogues, and Rugby is a rogue's game, played by gentlemen."

In the early days of Rugby, I bet this was true. And it's analogous to how Health Savings Accounts are viewed. HSAs are used mostly by the rich.

Really? So people good with money realize that this is the way to go? Fascinating!

Well, guess what, Indiana has other ideas for HSAs. Saving the debacle Medicare and Medicaid has become, the Hoosiers are rucking over the health insurance problem.

White collar? Only on the jersey, mate.