Health Savings Accounts were established by the Medicare bill signed into law by President Bush in December 2003. HSAs allow individuals and families to re-finance their health insurance premiums and put some of the funds in a tax-preferred account held by financial institutions. HSAs share many characteristics with Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), but are specific to health care and may be used throughout one's life. HSAs offer companies and employees a unique way to lower their health care costs by changing the incentives for consuming health care today.

Our distinguished speaker will explain the rules for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), how they impact the health care sector, and why HFMA members may want to offer HSAs to their employees.