Audio CD and written materials of AIS's audioconference on January 18, 2007

New HSA Law: What Health Plans, Employers and Banks Need to Do Now

On Dec. 9, the Republican-controlled Congress took advantage of a small window of opportunity to enact critical Health Savings Account (HSA) legislation. The bill was signed into law by President Bush less than two weeks later. The new law will provide a monster boost to HSAs and to consumer-directed health plans. But the Jan. 1, 2007 effective date means that health plans, HSA administrators and employers must work quickly to revamp existing plan designs and explain the changes to enrollees.

Sponsored by Atlantic Information Services, Inc., publisher of Inside Consumer-Directed Care, Managed Care Week and Consumer-Directed Health Care Facts, Trends and Data.

Speakers Designed For Shipping Information Written Materials Print an order form: If you do not wish to place your order online, click here to download a printable order form (PDF file), then submit your order via fax or mail, as directed on the form.

Order Now (Secure Site) CD and Printed Materials ($292) Pub code: CCLAWT View Cart

The provisions of the new HSA law, signed into law on Dec. 20, are sure to make high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) immensely more popular now that employers and enrollees can contribute up to the entire statutory deductible. But while the new law presents tremendous opportunities for HSA account holders, HSA custodians, health plans and employers, there are many nuances that still need to be addressed. For example, will a rollover from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) trigger ERISA problems? Or will a mid-year HSA contribution violate rules related to cafeteria plans or lead to tax complications when the employee terminates employment?

We've tapped John Hickman and Ashley Gillihan, employee benefits attorneys with Alston & Bird and two of the nation's top authorities on HSAs, to explain the new law and identify the best opportunities for your organization ... and hidden landmines to sidestep.

Next up, Beth Bierbower, vice president of product innovation for Humana Inc., explains how the new law will make it easier for health plans and brokers to sell HSA-qualified health coverage and how to take advantage of that. The larger allowable contributions for 2007 ($2,850 for self-only coverage and $5,650 for family coverage) mean employers can make larger contributions to help offset drug costs and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Hear how the HSA law will affect health plans, banks, employers and enrollees. Topics addressed include:

Speakers

JOHN HICKMAN, Esq. is head of Health & Welfare Benefits in the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group at the law firm Alston & Bird, LLP in Atlanta. Mr. Hickman also chairs the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation's technical advisory committee and is an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law. He is cited in "The Best Lawyers in America" for his health and welfare expertise.

ASHLEY GILLIHAN is a partner in Alston & Bird's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group. He is also a secondary member of the firm's ERISA Litigation Group. His legal practice focuses exclusively on assisting clients with various health and welfare benefit plan issues including HSAs.

BETH BIERBOWER is vice president of product innovation for Humana Inc. Ms. Bierbower is responsible for the consumer strategy as well as product development activities at Humana. Most notably, she oversaw the development and introduction of Humana's SmartSuite line of consumer-directed health (CDH) plans. She is a frequent presenter and author on the topic of consumerism.

Moderator: Steve Davis, managing editor of AIS's industry-leading biweekly newsletter, Inside Consumer-Directed Care.

Designed Especially For

*Please note that shipping of CDs and materials will begin within three weeks of the conference.

Written Materials