If you would like more information regarding your coverage options, please call or request a quote online.

You own and control the funds in your HSA. Money you contribute to your HSA is federally tax deductible, whether or not you itemize deductions (see HSA FAQ page for discussion of limits on contributions). Your funds can be conveniently accessed by a debit card to pay medical expenses. An HSA is similar to an IRA; however, HSAs are specifically dedicated to medical expenses.

In order to open an HSA, you must be covered by a qualified high deductible health plan (HDHP), not also be covered by any other health plan that is not a high deductible health plan (with certain exceptions for certain types of permitted coverage, as discussed more fully on the FAQs page), not be enrolled in Medicare, and not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. An HDHP costs less than traditional health care plans due to the higher deductible, so the money saved on monthly premiums can be added to your HSA. HDHPs are available to individuals under age 65, families and employer groups of all sizes.

In 2009, an HDHP consists of an annual deductible of at least $1,150 for an individual and $2,300 for a family. In addition, the out-of-pocket maximum limit, including deductibles, is $5,800 for an individual and $11,600 for a family. In the case of a family plan, the HDHP may not start paying for any individual until the $2,300 family deductible is satisfied. Please be aware that not all plans with high deductibles qualify you to open an HSA. The policy must meet the specific HSA design specified by the U.S. Congress.

1. Check the hospitals and urgent care centers of the places that you are going. When you are away from home you many tend to panic because you are in a unfamiliar place, so knowing where you can go ahead of time can save you the panic and money.

2. Call your agent. If it’s not an emergency situation then call your agent, and they can look where you need to go. Hometown Benefits Group will always be there to help. If your agent is on another line, then call the main office at 471-831-1566.

3. Call the number on the back of your insurance card. Your insurance company will direct you where to go so you can stay in network.

4. Don’t panic. The most important thing is getting help at a medical facility. Remember we are here to help no matter where your ventures may take you.

1. Understand your personal policy. Every policy is different, so make sure you understand where you
   should go, what is covered, and what is not. If you are unclear about anything call your agent before you go to the doctor or hospital. This will help you in the long run.
2. Stay in network whenever possible. Many people have called and don’t know why a claim was not covered. Many times it was due to being out of network. If you don’t know where you can go, then call your agent. If you travel outside the state and get hurt, call your agent so they can direct you to the right place. If you can’t get a hold of your agent and it’s an emergency, call 417-831-1566 or 417-862-3322.
3. Don’t go to the emergency room if at all possible. Sometimes it is a must, but if you can go to your regular doctor or even urgent care, then exhaust those two options first. The emergency room is very expensive, and most claims can be cut in half, if not more, by going to a regular doctor or urgent care center.
4. Always file your insurance whether you have a co-pay or not. Whenever you can file your insurance, even if that procedure is not covered, or whatever the case may be, you need to file your insurance because most of the time you will get a 30% discount through the network.
5. Don’t just pay your claims before really diving in. This is where we come in. Most incorrect claims are due to the doctor or hospital sending in the wrong codes to the insurance companies. If a claim doesn’t look correct, then contact your agent so we can see what is going on. Most of the time it’s an easy fix. Insurance companies only read and see codes sent from your providers, and sometimes those codes are not coded correctly.

According to a 2007 American Massage Therapy Association survey, almost a quarter of all adult Americans had at least one massage in the previous year. And, they have a wide range of reasons for doing so. More and more people — especially baby boomers — recognize the health benefits of massage. They choose from among many massage styles to get relief from symptoms or to heal injuries, to help with certain health conditions, and to promote overall wellness.We have found and used a trusted source for massages in Springfield, MO. Her name is Melinda, and her website is www.melindasmassagetherapy.com. Regardless of who you choose to be your therapist, we highly recommend using the benefits of massage for whatever you personally may need it for.