What is an "HSA"?  

"Every American should have access to a full range of information about the quality and cost of their health care options."
- Mike Leavitt, HHS Secretary 2005-2009  

If you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) or if you are using a Health Savings Account (HSA) for your medical expenses; you will want to prepare for and know what medical costs you are going to be responsible for before you get the bill. 

There are online resources come from insurers, government agencies, Internet companies and medical-care providers. The sites aren't perfect: Unlike online retailers that sell products such as televisions, the health sites can't typically give exact prices for medical procedures and services. Still, consumers can get a rough idea of typical costs in their area, and that can help them choose doctors and hospitals, budget for medical costs and sort out disputed bills.  

You can also have your doctor estimate the cost of medical treatment before you go in for any services.  A predetermination of benefits allows the medical provider -- at the consumer's request -- to send the insurance company a statement listing a proposed treatment or test, or the proposed purchase of medical equipment. The insurance company will respond with a statement of the amount you would owe, and the amount of reimbursement the insurance company will usually provide for that test, procedure, or equipment.

The predetermination process offers the consumer valuable information. It makes it possible for the consumer to review the cost and possible reimbursement for treatments or tests in advance, and allows the consumer to make an appropriate decision before the test or procedure is performed. In addition, if there's a significant difference between the estimated cost and possible reimbursement -- or if the insurer determines that the test or procedure is not covered under the policy -- the predetermination of benefits process offers an opportunity for the consumer to discuss the economic issues with the doctor or the insurer in advance.

Wellness Tip of the Month 

Exercising Your Mind

At Hilton Head Health, our fitness specialists and wellness coaches spend a lot of time talking about exercise habits and how to individually improve them. But of all exercises, one stands out as a daily must. It doesn't require any special skills or equipment. It can be done anytime, anywhere, and no one will know you are doing it unless you tell them. (No, it is not butt squeezes!) It is the most transformative of any exercise. In fact, this exercise will change your life faster than anything else you can possibly do. Are you ready?

Get out your journal, a notebook or a plain piece of paper and jot down everything you're grateful for. Start with the basics like food, shelter, clothing and transportation. How about family, friends, a beloved pet? Dig a little deeper. Have you experienced healing from a serious illness or the restoration of an important relationship?

When you run out of the obvious, look around for the small blessings in life: that beautiful bird singing outside your window, the sunrise, the store clerk who helped you today or the person who slowed down to let you in traffic... Instead of focusing on all the bad things happening in the world, start looking for the good.

Of course, it's easy to give thanks when everything's coming up roses. But how can we feel grateful when confronted with life's thorns? It comes down to practice.

Few people go to the gym simply to be able to bench press 100 pounds, run four miles on a treadmill or do three sets of squats, but rather to have energy and strength to carry a sleepy child to bed, unload the groceries, do the yard work, play sports or climb stairs... Exercise is simply the tool we use to get more of what we want out of life.

In the same way, practicing gratitude is a workout for our souls. Just as physical exercise improves strength and stamina, repeated awareness of our blessings builds our happiness muscles. Condition yourself to look at the brighter side of life and it will only get brighter.

Alicea Glover is responsible for H3 Direct, a corporate wellness program, facilitated by Hilton Head Health (H3), designed to take the inspiration of H3's Healthy Lifestyle™ program, delivered to your door.  It's not too late to begin a program for your company in 2011 - call 785-3919 for information about how you can invest in your employees' health in the New Year for less than a quarter a day!

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