In this February Issue...
-Message from the President/CEO: Understanding Your Plan
-Have a Health Insurance Question?: Contact our Team
-Independent Health: The Benefits of Reimbursement Accounts
-Windsong Radiology: Join Us for Business After Hours!
-Kaleida Health VIDEO: Atrial Fibrillation
-What's for Dinner?: Homemade Chicken Soup
Message from President/CEO A.J. Baynes
With Open Enrollment behind us, now is your opportunity to review and understand the changes in your 2020 health care plan. Not sure what is covered? A summary of benefits for all plans offered through the Chamber can be found on our website here .

If you have already signed up for a wellness card, your benefits have been replenished. Discounted gym memberships and money for healthy foods are among the perks available. Be sure to take advantage of its many cost saving offers. If you haven’t registered for a wellness card and need assistance signing up, call our office and Penny, Olivia or Christine can help. It is one of the many services you receive as an insurance member of the Chamber.

BlueCross BlueShield members who don’t have a primary care physician can now be seen at Latus Medical Care, the first medical office in the region exclusively serving BlueCross BlueShield members, as well as members of other Blues plans. The state-of-the-art facility is located at 2350 Maple Road, Suite 100 in Amherst. Latus offers an array of primary care and integrated services, such as preventative care and complex care for those with chronic diseases.

Here’s a valuable health tip if you are getting away from the snow and cold this time of year. When travelling outside the Western New York region, you can seek medical treatment at either an urgent care facility or hospital emergency room. Urgent Care is covered as in-network when traveling, the same as ER. You can also use telemedicine services. They connect you 24/7 to a doctor for consult on common illnesses and filling medically necessary prescriptions. The average wait time for telemedicine services is 20 minutes.

Stay healthy and safe during this winter season, and as always, please call us with any questions at (716) 632.6905 or email: healthinsurance@amherst.org.
Your Amherst Chamber of Commerce licensed brokers are here to help!
Penny LaPlaca
Christine Langenfeld
Olivia Dann
VIDEO: Atrial Fibrillation
MEDICAL MINUTE: Atrial Fibrillation. It's the most common, serious abnormal heart rhythm. Dr. Chee Kim has more on its symptoms and treatment. WATCH this month's Kaleida Health video!
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Spending, Saving, Reimbursing:
Different Accounts for Different Needs

With the various types of reimbursement accounts available, it can be confusing to know the differences or benefits of each. Each of these accounts serves a different purpose. They not only offer tax advantages; they also encourage greater employee engagement in financial wellness.

High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): An HDHP is a plan with a higher deductible (and usually lower premium) than a traditional insurance plan. Because the deductible is higher, the HDHP can be combined with a health savings account (HSA), to help members pay for certain medical expenses with money free from federal taxes.

The IRS sets the minimum deductibles for HDHPs to be eligible to have an HSA. For 2020, HSA-qualified plans have a deductible of at least $1,400 for an individual or $2,800 for a family. The plan’s total yearly out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance) are capped at $6,900 for an individual or $13,800 for a family. (This limit doesn't apply to out-of-network services.)

Health Savings Account (HSA): An HSA is a savings tool that helps HDHP members cover the cost of plan deductibles, while empowering them to plan for future health care expenses. Employees’ contributions, withdrawals for eligible expenses and interest earnings are all tax-free. Unspent HSA funds roll over year to year. After retirement, HSA funds may be used for health-related expenses also.
 
Flexible Spending Account (FSA): An FSA is an employer-sponsored benefits program that enables employees to deduct pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to pay for qualified medical expenses. Employees must use FSA funds within the plan year because they do not roll over year to year. Any unused funds are returned to the employer at the end of the year. Contributions to an FSA are limited by the IRS to $2,650 per year.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): HRAs are employer-owned accounts that are used by employees for specific medical expenses, such as deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, dental or vision. Contributions are made solely by the employer. Unused funds are either returned to the employer at the end of the plan year or rolled over to the next year. There is no minimum or maximum amount.

Learn more about these plans at independenthealth.com
For more articles like this, read Independent Health’s Healthy Vision blog .

Disclaimer:
This summary is not an endorsement of any of these plans and is not investment advice. Eligibility rules may apply. Certain features may vary by employer group, the plan offering it and the individual’s own circumstances.  
Date: Tuesday, March 24

Time:  5:00pm-7:00pm

Location: Windsong, 55 Spindrift Dr., Williamsville
Join us for Business After Hours at Windsong Interventional and Vascular Services where cutting edge medical procedures are being performed with minimal recovery times. Drinks, appetizers and tours!

What's for Dinner: Homemade Chicken Soup
With cold and flu season in full swing, it's important to have a quick and easy recipe for homemade chicken soup. It can help the whole family feel better! Check out the recipe here .
 Amherst Chamber of Commerce | (P) 716.632.6905 | (F) 716.632.0548 | www.amherst.org