Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Do They Vary From State to State?

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is an amazing tool that a lot of people have been talking about. It is meant to help you save money on insurance and make your life simpler, maybe even help you be healthier.

Is this tool available in all states? And are HSAs in each state the same?

The Health Savings Account (HSA) was passed in the U.S. Congress in December 2003. It was signed by President George W. Bush. That means it is a federal law. The HSA is available in every state in the Union.

However, the availability of the HSA may vary. Since this product is relatively new, not all insurance agents and financial advisors have caught on to it. Many do not know it exists yet, and not all of them offer it to their clients.

But as acceptance of HSAs grows, more and more insurance agents, advisors and even banks are beginning to offer them.

The simplest place to find an HSA is with an insurance agent. I say it is the simplest because it is easiest to purchase your HSA and your high-deductible health insurance policy in one place. If you do not purchase them in one place, you have to provide written proof to the HSA agent that you do, indeed, have a high-deductible policy. If you can't prove that you are insured, and that the deductible is over $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a family, they cannot give you an HSA.

Insurance agents are also the most likely to have an in-depth knowledge of HSAs. I haven't tried to get an HSA at a bank, but I think it's likely that the expertise of personal bankers will not be as great as that of the average insurance agent. That's just my opinion.

Health Savings Accounts are growing in popularity every day. They provide an excellent way to save thousands of dollars on insurance, and they are the true solution for the self-employed and the small business owner. And HSAs are available today!

Daryl Kulak is the author of the book "Health Insurance Off the Grid - A Wonderful Way to Use Alternative Medicine and Save Money on Insurance Using the New Health Savings Account (HSA)." The book provides a nine-step plan to get your self-employed or small business health insurance costs under control using a unique approach you won't find anywhere else. The book is available for sale as an e-Book or paperback at the Website http://www.healthoffthegrid.com

MORE RESOURCES:

Concepta Insurance Consolidation Facility Receives DOJ Clearance - MarketWatch

Health insurance sticker shock hits consumers - Chicago Tribune

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/1-0fd=Rurl=http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/triage/2008/12/health-insuranc.htmlcid=1276133500ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNFxh1_jgh3IQh3I4rlKc68K3ghecAHealth binsurance/b sticker shock hits consumers/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fChicago Tribune,nbsp;United Statesnbsp;-/font nobr10 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Health binsurance/b sticker shock overcame Mickey Trznadel when he opened an envelope from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois earlier this year, b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/1-1fd=Rurl=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Blue-Cross-Blue-Shield-Michigan/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B5379FA18-BBBE-4084-A40A-AB5CFFB0BDAD%257Dcid=1276133500ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNHgw-zvyCgWZRRmJByZMwwHa7DOLwBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Answers Attorney General/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrMarketWatch/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/1-2fd=Rurl=http://www.mlive.com/annarbornews/news/index.ssf/2008/12/blues_michigan_ag_continue_hea.htmlcid=1276133500ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNEvQ4qyY2ocustQb2WIWhTqUadDrwBlues, Michigan AG continue health binsurance/b fight/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrMLive.com/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/1-3fd=Rurl=http://www.mlive.com/kzgazette/news/index.ssf/2008/12/blue_cross_blue_shield_of_mich.htmlcid=1276133500ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNEaQYP5CdFXg4t6RuH4Px8KiyUMgwBlue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan continues push for health b.../b/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrKalamazoo Gazette - MLive.com/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1 class=pa href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/1-4fd=Rurl=http://www.freep.com/article/20081201/FEATURES08/81201068cid=1276133500ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNHjEUn1j0gpQXFx-1Tne6w7cXj2NQnobrDetroit Free Press/nobr/anbsp;- a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/1-5fd=Rurl=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20081201/FREE/812010270/-1cid=1276133500ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNHUYffzTZO4IhV4fGFFVTJrwbtF3AnobrCrain's Detroit Business/nobr/a/fontbr/font class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1276133500hl=ennobrall 23 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table

Morning Rounds Rising Stress Levels, Limited Health Insurance and ... - New York Times

Premiums for workers#39; comp insurance to rise 3% - Seattle Times

Drivers without insurance will have their vehicles towed after Jan. 1 - Dallas Morning News

Prudential PLC eyes AIG#39;s Taiwanese life insurance unit - MarketWatch

RAM Holdings Announces Commutation of $10.6 Billion Par MBIA ... - MarketWatch

Fabian Nunez Joins Zenith#39;s Board of Directors - MarketWatch

State issues finding in Holyoke Medical Center insurance dealings - The Republican - MassLive.com

Fairfax to buy rest of Northbridge for C$686 mln - Reuters

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/9-0fd=Rurl=http://www.reuters.com/article/mnaNewsFinancialServicesAndRealEstate/idUSN0150299520081201cid=1276516603ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNFLL_J9H5oTubO66DAVRFx0Elns1gFairfax to buy rest of Northbridge for C$686 mln/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fReutersnbsp;-/font nobr32 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Fairfax said it expected Northbridge President and Chief Executive Mark Ram to remain in charge of the Canadian binsurance/b operations. b.../b/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/9-1fd=Rurl=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Northbridge-Fairfax-Announce-Privatization-Offer/story.aspx%3Fguid%3D%257B0A513448-3272-4E3F-8D0C-251C2F23FFA7%257Dcid=1276516603ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNFp3h_TuvETaWgutzZQEP4YTRBEdgNorthbridge and Fairfax Announce Privatization Offer/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrMarketWatch/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/9-2fd=Rurl=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news%3Fpid%3D20601082%26sid%3DacOweNniPPE4%26refer%3Dcanadacid=1276516603ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNGwkFZ9Eti6-aKngeBJw2cVH0jZqACanada Stocks Decline, Led by EnCana Corp., Financial Shares/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrBloomberg/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/9-3fd=Rurl=http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081201.wfairfax1201/BNStory/Business/home%3Fcid%3Dal_gam_mostemailcid=1276516603ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNH-NoNadJ3qvDiTrTpBxTVnexek3wFairfax to take Northbridge private/a font size=-1 color=#6f6f6fnobrGlobe and Mail/nobr/font/fontbrfont size=-1 class=pa href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/9-4fd=Rurl=http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%2520News/2058427/cid=1276516603ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNFdxYOeM3DzzKe7F4FavW4-Al1VwgnobrTrading Markets (press release)/nobr/anbsp;- a href=http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=Tct=us/9-5fd=Rurl=http://www.680news.com/news/business/more.jsp%3Fcontent%3Db1201167Acid=1276516603ei=Xcs0SbizKJnU9QSXhMEpusg=AFQjCNGiRnSXMTL6UDKH4_4f4sGeG_bazgnobr680 News/nobr/a/fontbr/font class=p size=-1a class=p href=http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclientie=ISO-8859-1rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-22,GGLG:enncl=1276516603hl=ennobrall 62 news articles/nobr/a/font/div/font/td/tr/table

Insurance - Google News

RELATED ARTICLES

How Much Car Insurance Should You Buy?
Car insurance is one of the most dreaded chunks in your budget. And depending on which state you live in, it could be a smaller or larger chunk of your budget than your neighbors across state lines.

Long Term Care Insurance - Low Cost Alternatives For Budget Conscious Seniors!
With Nursing home Cost's running $4,000 to $6,000 a month and outpacing inflation, it is a small wonder that most seniors cannot afford the Long term Care insurance premiums. Their are low cost Alternatives available for seniors who just can't afford the rising cost of these Premiums.

What Do You Mean My Auto Insurance Policy Doesnt Cover This!!
Auto insurance is an agreement between you and your insurance company where you arrange to pay a premium in an exchange for the peace of mind that your insurance agency will pay for vehicle related financial losses during the duration of the policy. You need auto insurance because you are liable by law to pay for losses you cause to others in the event of an automobile accident.

Who Else Wants to Understand Travel Insurance Policy Language?
Aren't all travel insurance plans basically the same?No. When you read travel insurance policy language, remember that as with any legal document, the definition of the terms is what governs the working of the policy (including payment of the claim).

What is Travel Insurance?
Travel Insurance is designed to protect your health, belongings, and your financial investment in your trip. It provides peace of mind for you and your family while on your vacation.

Life Insurance Beneficiaries
Naming a beneficiary for your life insurance policy can be a difficult decision to make, not to mention a tricky procedure. A person needs to research the different types of beneficiaries and the different ways to go.

Term Or Whole Life Insurance - Which Is Right For You?
One of the most important things you will ever do is to choose a life insurance policy that will provide for your family after you are gone. Choosing the life insurance policy that is right for you and your family can be quite confusing.

Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage
Many personal auto insurance companies consider your credit information when determining how much premium to charge for your insurance. So if you are calling around for new insurance, keep in mind that many insurers are looking at your credit history.

Alternate Risk Transfer (ART) - Insurance Strategies
Risk ManagementAlternate Risk Transfer is a fancy way of saying alternate methods of insurance and risk management, of which there are many. From the most basic alternative of going without insurance (self-insuring) to so-called "program business captives", there are a wide variety of strategies from which to choose.

What Should I Do About Billing Problems When Using HSA Money?
If you run into a billing problem or misunderstanding with a hospital or doctor's office for which you're planning to use money from your Health Savings Account (HSA), you could be in trouble.This article will help you understand how hospital and doctor visits are different when paying with a Health Savings Account.

Converting An Unwanted Life Insurance Policy Into Ca$h
Do You Own A Life Insurance Policy That You No longer Need or Want?It is possible that you may be able to can get a CASH settlement in excess of the current cash surrender value by selling your policy in the secondary market to an investor.Reasons To "Sell" A Policy:Family SituationsBankruptcyEstate ReductionEstate Tax RevisionBusiness Was Sold1035 ExchangeDrain On IncomeDivorce - SeparationDeath of A SpouseRetirementDeclining HealthNon-Performing PolicyWealth PlanningWork Related ChangesQualifying Types Of Life Insurance:GroupWhole LifeTerm (Convertible)JointUniversalVariableKey Man (business related)Who Is A Qualified Candidate?Mature men and women over age sixty-five years of age who have an existing life insurance policy and whose circumstances have changed since purchasing the policy originally may qualify for a purchase and sale of their policy.

Insurance: A Necessity for Peace of Mind
There are many choices for insurance. Insurance is apolicy where you pay in a certain figure, that you do notusually get back, and pays out in the event of a certainsituation.

Car Insurance Discounts
Trying to save money wherever you can is important to us all. Insurance should be no different.

House Insurance - Forcible and Violent Entry
Forcible and violent entry (f&ve) is the terminology used within house insurance to describe break-ins.Most home insurance policies will cover you for theft claims made with no forcible and violent entry.

Finding Life Insurance Quotes For Adult Children
Shopping for life insurance quotes for adult children isn't any different than it is for adults or seniors. Underwriting issues can vary a little but essentially life insurance quotes for adult children follows the same routine.

Your Cars After-impact Diminished Value
The(ACV)Actual Cash Value Policy DOES NOT insure the property itself but the VALUE of the property.Okay let's say the insurance company chooses to "Repair" their insureds damaged property (as is their option within their contract of insurance).

What You Need to Know About Auto Insurance
Let's be realistic, everyone needs to have auto insurance. Aside from the fact that almost every state requires it, it is only logical for a driver to see that his vehicle is properly insured.

What Does Buildings Insurance Cover?
You will find that your lender will insist that you have this cover when you take out a mortgage. The lender, remember, owns your home until you have paid off the mortgage.

Are You Sure That Heirloom Oriental Rug From Your Aunt Hilda Is Really Insured?
Gone are the days of the cinder block and wood plank bookcases. You've come along way from that old reliable jut rug and CDs (or in some cases, actual vinyl albums) stored in milk crates.

Accident Insurance Claim Personal Injury Insights
There's nothing that has a greater impact on evaluating a personal injury insurance claim than the damage done to your body, the medical bills that are a direct result of that injury and the "pain and suffering" you were forced to deal with.Besides botching up your body (and sometimes your love life) what else does the injury mean to you? It means a ton of financial expense's, including repairing your motor vehicle, lost wages, a shock to your life style, a tremendous inconvenience and short or long periods of pain and discomfort - - all of it a direct result of your injuries.