NEWS - May 2009

CONSUMER HEALTH CARE

As reported in mid-May 2009 in the Business section of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, there's an often overlooked but robust segment of the banking industry: Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Holdings at the HSA Bank (Sheboygan WI) have grown to $600 million in ten years and consist of 225,000 accounts. The article suggests that HSAs demonstrate the power consumers can exert to influence "health care economics" through grass-roots movements.[1] Other recent news regarding consumer-driven health care are discussed below.

Guardian Life Insurance Introduces New Medical & Wellness Plans

Several new plans and programs were launched by Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (New York NY) in May 2009. The first offering combines a high-deductible health care plan with a tax-free HSA and supplemental "critical illness" coverage. Preventive care is fully covered, and members have access to Guardian's provider network. The plan enables employees and employers to retain good health care benefits and cost-effective, quality services, while also providing members with some control over expenditures.

Guardian now offers new wellness resources and services to reinforce members' active participation in managing their health care options. The Wellness Program includes Online Health Assessment and Personal Health Records. Interactive features help members access medical histories, evaluate their lifestyle choices, manage chronic conditions, obtain information to better understand their health care needs, and/or track treatments. Discounts are available for alternative medicine and preventive care.

For more information, the original press releases are available at: PR Newswire ("Guardian Launches Comprehensive Consumer-Driven Healthcare Program" and "Guardian Enhances Medical Plans With New Wellness Benefits")

NEOS Consumer Driven Healthcare Announces Self Service Version 2.1

NEOS Consumer Driven Healthcare's HSA Management Module enables employers to cost-effectively manage self-service employee accounts, from set-up and creation to funding and reporting. Features include online access and real time data tools for Human Resources administrators and employees to review contributions, deductibles, qualified medical expense data, premiums, etc. Secure services are available to produce out-of-pocket receipts and statements or perform other functions (search, storage, and retrieval).

To read the original press release ("NEOS Consumer Driven Healthcare Upgrades Its Self Service Account Administration", May 20, 2009), visit: Open PR.

Strong Growth Of Affiliated Computer Services' Account Assets

Total HSA account assets administered by Affiliated Computer Services Inc. (ACS; Dallas TX) increased 52% during the past year. More employers are offering HSAs, which provide tax-free benefits and health care cost reductions. The company's 600,000 HSA accounts are held by approximately 1.5 million people. HSAs offer consumers and employees an effective way to manage health care costs. Two industry reports rank ACS as the top administrator by number of HSA accounts. ACS products and services are available through health plans, large employers, and third-party sources.

To read the original press release ("ACS Extends Leadership Position as Health Savings Accounts Administrator", May 20, 2009), visit: Insurance News Net. For more information about the company, visit: ACS.