Last spring Prevention Network sponsored high school students to lead 30 Underage Drinking Prevention Programs for 2,000 7th graders. Each teen presenter spoke about their decision not to drink or do drugs.

There was Kristina who has fun and “goes a little crazy” with her friends but without drugs and alcohol. Janina tried alcohol and got sick. “Why do that to my body?” she asked. Today young women are four times more likely to drink than their mothers. The rate of 9th grade girls drinking heavily now matches the boys.

Dan, with his long hair flowing and dressed all in black, talked about his brother who was in prison for DUI - his life ruined. Then he would announce that he had found religion. He had become a devote Buddhist. There was complete silence in the room.

Cutting edge research has revealed that the brain is still developing until the age of 25. The impact of one drink on the developing brain is dramatic compared to the adult brain. Repeated use of alcohol will literally destroy brain cells - gone forever. Alcohol impacts the ability to problem-solve and the ability to learn, just when teens need their brains the most.

At Prevention Network, we urge teens to enjoy life fully and have a great time - clean and sober. We urge parents to set clear family guidelines about no drinking at home parties or elsewhere. Set the standard high and model good behavior. Let’s support our youth to be healthy and alive.

Alphabet Soup
by Jeanette Jones, Account Executive

CDHC, HDHP, HSA, PPO, QME…it may all just seem like alphabet soup if you don’t know the insurance and health care industry’s language. Consumer Driven Health Care (CDHC), including the insurance and banking products that go along with it, are the current buzz words of the day. It seems you can’t open a newspaper or magazine without finding an article about rising health care costs and the “new” Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Even so, a survey done by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2006 found that 45 percent of the respondents had not heard of HSAs, and another 24 percent had heard of them but couldn’t tell you what they were.

HSAs aren’t really “new”. They are the result of the Medicare Modernization Act signed into law in 2003. This provided for the creation of a tax-deferred savings account for health care expenses, otherwise known as the HSA. To open an HSA, you must be covered by a qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP), as defined by the Treasury Department. Qualifications include a minimum deductible, a maximum for out of pocket expenses, and HSA contribution limits. For 2006, the minimum deductible is $1,050 for single coverage and $2,100 for family coverage. The annual maximum for out-of-pocket expenses is $5,250 for individuals and $10,500 for families. The maximum HSA contribution is the lesser of the deductible or $2,700 for individuals or $5,450 for families. This level of deductible provides a reduced monthly health insurance premium from the standard Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans that are prevalent in the market today.

The HSA is unique in that both the employer and employee can contribute. It is an employee owned account, allowing for funds to accumulate over the years and providing portability. As long as the funds are used for qualified medical expenses (QME), the money is tax free.

With these advantages comes the responsibility of consumer education and access to information. A key to the success of these plans is that consumers have cost and quality information available to help them make their health care decisions.

It’s a fact that health care costs continue to rise on a yearly basis, with the last five years including double digit increases. It’s also a fact that high deductible health plans coupled with an HSA can provide premium and tax relief. But before you make the decision to move in this direction, take the time to learn about the components that make up Consumer Driven Health Care and how they work together. Then you can make an educated decision if an HSA is right for you. Visit www.hsadecisions.org or www.treasury.gov for further information.

We at Benefits Specialists of NY have the expertise to provide you a financial study to help you decide if HSAs are right for you. Please contact us for further information or to schedule a consultation.

At your Service...

We hope you have enjoyed our premier issue of Healthy Outlook. Our goal is to provide information and education on topics that are important to you, from new legislation that may impact your business and life to tips on healthier living.

Our mission is to:

• be a resource to the community by representing quality products,
• provide exceptional customer service and education programs,
• enable you and your employees to make informed decisions

For over twenty-five years, as a subsidiary of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, BSNY has specialized in meeting the needs of employers and employees for organizations of all sizes. We are a licensed, independent agency that works with both Chamber and non-Chamber businesses, providing services, products and programs to help you navigate the health care system.

We’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our sales, marketing and account management staff. You can call us at (315) 470-1930, or contact us directly at the numbers listed below. Your questions and comments are always welcome!

	Amy Allgaier - 470-1922 Small Group Account Representative aallgaier@BenefitSpecialistsNY.com
	SueAnn Mikitiuk - 470-1816 Account Manager smikitiuk@BenefitSpecialistsNY.com
	Jeannette Jones - 470-1925 Account Executive jjones@BenefitSpecialistsNY.com

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