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More control over health care decisionsThe CIGNA Choice Fund® Health Savings Account (HSA) gives more. More control over health care decisions. More information and assistance to help make healthy choices. More options and more services. In addition to health plan coverage, a CIGNA Choice Fund HSA offers:
More control. More assistance. More services. More of what you're looking for in a health plan. * Several states have not enacted legislation to allow pre-tax treatment of HSA contributions or earnings. You should work with your tax advisor to ensure that you are aware of any changes that may occur in these states. For your convenience, we have identified the following states as having these tax issues: Alabama, California, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wisconsin. Contributions & RequirementsAlthough plan features vary , here are the basic elements of a CIGNA Choice Fund ® HSA:
*Several states have not enacted legislation to allow pre-tax treatment of HSA contributions or earnings. You should work with your tax advisor to ensure that you are aware of any changes that may occur in these states. For your convenience, we have identified the following states as having these tax issues: Alabama, California, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wisconsin. Health and Wellness ProgramsMembers of CIGNA HealthCare plans may also have access to valuable Health and Wellness Programs:
Employer Advantages
Integration with JPMorgan Chase CIGNA Choice FundSMHealth Savings Account (HSA) is an innovative health care plan designed to help lower overall medical costs through a focus on active engagement of plan participants. It is a consumer-driven health plan that combines a health savings account with a HSA qualified medical plan. The savings account is administered through JPMorgan Chase, a leader in financial services and wealth management. CIGNA Choice Fund. CIGNA Choice Fund® HSA powered by JPMorgan Chase has been available to clients since January 1, 2005. CIGNA offers a health plan that is fully integrated with the JPMorgan Chase Health Savings Account, combining health care and financial management features into one easy-to-use health care product. Our integrated HSA product combines a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with the HSA. CIGNA HealthCare administers the underlying medical plan (Open Access Plus, PPO, EPO or Indemnity), including claim adjudication, service, network/discounts, and medical management. As our banking partner, JPMorgan Chase will handle management of HSA funds, debit card and checkbook functions, credit interest, unscheduled deposits, and investment options. JPMorgan Chase is a trusted and respected leader in the field of financial management. Joining forces with JPMorgan Chase gives us the ability to market an integrated health savings account, combining all of the plan's health care and financial management features into one easy-to-use health care product. We will be able to provide all of the financial services that amount to the services of an individual savings account. Integrated Product Design
The HSA is all about choice. Your choice of medical plans, plan designs, options and features. Choose the underlying medical plan – PPO, Open Access Plus, Open Access Plus - In-Network or Indemnity – and the health care plan options that work best for you, including your health fund contributions. Choose any or all of the incentive programs to reward members for taking the online health risk assessment, using our other online tools, or participating in one or more of our disease management programs.
Communication is the key to the success of the introduction of any Consumer Driven Plan. CIGNA HealthCare is your partner in this communication. Recognizing that helping your employees understand how the CIGNA Choice Fund® HSA product can work for them, we've not only designed a consumer-driven health care product, we've also designed a flexible communication program to help your employees understand their plan and make better health care purchase decisions. CIGNA Choice Fund® services includes implementation support for the set up of the Choice Fund HSA Plan (on line bank applications, coordination of the banking set up to allow direct deposits of member's payroll HSA contributions) and monthly reporting of HSA activity available through CIGNA's on-line employer reporting tool, CIGNAAccess.com. Pre-enrollment
Open enrollment
Post-enrollment
Your implementation manager will help you every step of the way with communication strategies and materials that best suit you and your employees.
The CIGNA Choice Fund® HSA also offers employers medical management options designed to meet individual needs and improve each member's health care experience. Personal Health Solutions offers employers the choice of two innovative approaches to medical management.
CIGNA Well Aware for Better HealthSM can help you curb the high expense of managing chronic conditions – and help your employees become healthier. We'll help identify eligible employees and family members who could benefit from personalized support and education for asthma, diabetes, heart disease, low back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, weight complications and certain targeted conditions. Under the care of their physician, members can use the Well Aware program to help monitor, change, and take charge of their health. Frequently Asked Questions about a Health Savings Account (HSA)
HSA Bank Account Contributions (Deposits)
HSA Bank Account Interest and Earnings
Using your HSA
HSA Bank Account Fees Closing your HSA
General
Who is eligible to make HSA contributions? To be an eligible individual and qualify for an HSA, you must be.
Other health coverage. You generally cannot have any other health coverage that is not an HDHP. You can have additional insurance that provides benefits only for the following items.
How do I roll my MSA or HSA from another bank into my HSA with JPMorgan Chase? Can I make deposits outside my payroll deductions?
How can I make unscheduled deposits into my HSA?
How much can I contribute to an HSA and how do I figure this out? Individuals 55 and older who are covered by an HDHP can make additional maximum catch-up contributions each year until they enroll in Medicare. The additional "catch-up" contributions to HSA allowed are as follows: 2007 – $800 Please consult your tax advisor for further information. Who may make contributions to an HSA on behalf of an eligible individual? Is the account insured? Can I contribute the annual maximum if I enroll in the HDHP plan mid-year? Effective in taxable years beginning January 1, 2007, an individual can contribute the maximum calendar-year amount to their HSA even if they were enrolled in the plan mid-year. This allows an individual to make the maximum contribution and take the full calendar year federal tax deduction if they are enrolled in the plan for only part of the year. There are specific requirements for HDHP enrollment to avoid negative tax implications from making the maximum allowable contribution. The individual must be enrolled in the plan through 12/31 of the calendar year and maintain continuous HDHP enrollment for a 12-month period. The 12 month period begins in the last month of the taxable year that the individual became an eligible individual (regardless of exactly when during that year they were enrolled in the HDHP plan) and ends on the last day of the following 12th month. Please consult your tax advisor for further information. Can I transfer funds from an IRA to an HSA? Under previous HSA law, there was no allowance for individuals to transfer funds from an IRA to an HSA. Effective in taxable years beginning January 1, 2007, a one-time transfer from an IRA to an HSA during a lifetime is permitted. In order to qualify as an federal allowable HSA contribution:
There are specific requirements for HDHP enrollment to avoid negative federal tax implications from making and IRA transfer to HSA. You must maintain continuous HDHP enrollment for a 12-month period. The 12 month period begins in the month of the transfer. You should consult your tax advisor for further information on the federal and state allowances for an IRA to HSA transfer. Can I transfer funds from an FSA or HRA to an HSA? It is an employer option to offer a one-time transfer of the lesser of: (a) an HRA and/or FSA balance as of September 21, 2006; or (b) the HRA and/or FSA balance on the date of distribution, from each type of account to an HSA. This only applies to participants who had a Health Care FSA or HRA on September 21, 2006. It does not apply to HRAs or FSAs established after that date. FSA rollover to HSA is not available unless the FSA plan has the extended claim period. The amount does not count toward the taxable year maximum HSA contribution. You should contact you employer to determine if you are eligible for an HRA or FSA transfer to an HSA There are specific requirements for how money is moved from an HRA and FSA to an HSA and there are HDHP enrollment requirements to avoid negative tax implications from the transfer. You should consult their tax advisor for further information on the federal and state allowances for an FSA or HRA to HSA transfer. Is this a money market account? How is the interest rate calculated? What investment options are available? Can I make autodrafts/withdrawals for known medical payments? Do I have to access to my fund dollars within a certain time period after I receive services? What kind of records do I need to retain when I use the HSA? CIGNA HealthCare and JPMorgan Chase do not track withdrawals for Qualified versus Non-Qualified Expenses. You will receive a 1099 form which shows the total distributions from your HSA account to assist with year-end tax preparation. What HSA fees and/or penalties am I responsible for? How can I close my account? Once our card services specialists receive your instructions, they will close the account. A check will be cut and mailed to you or your designated recipient after eleven days to allow for any possible remaining transactions to post to your account. Please allow 7-10 days for this to arrive through the mail. Also note if the HSA funds are not deposited into another health savings account, tax penalties will occur. You should consult your tax advisor for details. If you leave the Choice Fund HSA, JPM Chase HSA bank account will initiate the account closing . What happens if I no longer am enrolled in a qualified HSA medical plan (High Deductible Health Plan or HDHP)? Can I close my account at any time or do I need to keep it open for a period of time? What happens if I terminate my employment with my current employer? You will continue to have access to your HSA balance, and can continue to maintain your HSA under this new structure. If you establish coverage under a different employer plan that also features an HSA, you can request that your HSA balances been rolled over into the newly-established HSA. Request the form by calling Customer Service at the number on the back of your debit card. What is the tax treatment of an HSA? What tax requirements exist for members? Interest and investment earnings on your HSA are tax-deferred and qualified distributions are not subject to federal income taxes. Upon death, disability, age 65 or Medicare entitlement, funds can be withdrawn for non-medical reasons without a federal tax penalty, but the distributions will be subject to income taxes. Several states have not enacted legislation to allow pre-tax treatment of HSA contributions or earnings. You should work with your tax advisor to ensure that you are aware of any changes that may occur in these states. For your convenience, we have identified the following states as having these tax issues: Alabama, California, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Wisconsin If you exceed your allowable annual contribution, you may be subject to income tax and tax penalties on the excess contribution and associated earnings. All required forms are sent annually to the IRS and to you to assist with year-end tax preparation. Consult with your tax advisor to review your specific circumstances. How can I track my account balance and activity?
What are the expense guidelines and listings of covered and not covered items? How can I roll my account balance into another HSA? After our card services specialists receive your instructions, they will close the account. A check will be cut and mailed to you or the new custodian after eleven days to allow for any possible remaining transactions to post to your account. Please allow 7-10 days for this to arrive through the mail. |
