It’s funny how sometimes when you go with something for so long, that you kind of forget what is possible.  Or, a lot of times we just settle for what we have because change means stepping outside of our comfort zone.  I think a lot of us can relate.

A good example would be a cell phone.  You get use to the one you have, and wouldn’t dream of anything different.  Then the time comes to change, and you dread the entire process of getting a new one.  Why do you dread the process?  There are many reasons I can think of, like having to create a new address book, a new one likely won’t be the same size or shape, no time for researching a new one, and the list goes on and on.  What it all boils down to is that a new one means…change.  But, then you get that new phone and wonder why in the world you didn’t get one sooner!

Small businesses have the same problem.  They get comfortable with a particular way of doing business, and forget or just plain don’t have time to research what is out there.  I always think about that when I hear about the small business owners that have saved an average of $3,800 by utilizing the BASE® HRA.  Or, the employer with multiple employees who managed to complement their current health benefits with the BASE® HRA+ or BASE® 125 Cafeteria Flexible Spending Account in order to continue providing a valuable benefit plan for their employees in order to contain costs from premium increases.

At one time all of these businesses decided to take the time to research a new way of doing something.  Just like the cell phone can make us more efficient, BASE® has done the same thing for businesses looking to provide a benefit to their employees. 

This spring try and research one new thing that might put you out of your comfort zone.  Doing so could reveal a whole new window of opportunity to something else.  Just look at what smart phones are doing for people these days! 

Anne Case

BASE® - Marketing

Just like any other day, I was sitting at the breakfast table this morning eating my ho-hum, bland cereal.  Wanting to “spice” it up a bit, I reached for the fake (supplemental) sugar – after all, I'm a grown up now and it's evidently better for me than the real stuff.  It then dawned on me that it seems in the last several years, we are hearing more and more about alternatives and substitutes.  Food substitutes and alternatives, alternative energy and alternative medicine just to name a few.

Alternative energy has made a lot of headlines as the oil crisis seems to continue to grow.  These energy alternatives are those that don't use up the Earth's natural resources and are, therefore, more environmentally sound.   Interestingly enough, these technologies have been available for many years, but are just recently becoming further developed.  The reason these methods aren't already the norm is because the need has only recently become more recognized, especially by the general public.  This is very similar to the alternatives available in health care and medicine.

Many of the common alternatives in medicine are considered naturopathic, which generally refers to the use of natural and holistic remedies in combination with more modern treatments and applications.  This ideology has been around for centuries, but has gained a lot of attention in the last several years as the public becomes more informed and seek out these types of health restoration practices and treatments. 

There are now thousands of highly educated physicians that primarily focus on naturopathic medicine by combining both modern science and nature.  These doctors are fully licensed health care practitioners that have studied the same curriculum as traditional medical doctors.  They can diagnose the same as MD's do, but bring a myriad of other solutions and possible treatments to their patients.

While much of the naturopathy ideology focuses on preventative care including diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, it is also used in treatment of various afflictions and illnesses.  Although preventative care is generally not included as a deductible medical expense, if a service or expense is the result of treatment or analysis of an existing condition, it can and should be deducted as a medical expense on income taxes.  These types of expenses and services are also eligible for reimbursement through a BASE^® FSA (Flexible Spending Account) as well as the BASE^® HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement).

To inquire whether a particular service or expense is includable and/or eligible for reimbursement through a BASE^® benefit plan, please contact a BASE^® Benefit Specialist at 888-386-9680.

Matt Decklever

BASE - Benefit Specialist

It generally takes 10-15 minutes for me to be able to qualify a business to use a HRA. I also calculate their tax savings, which averages at $3,800 each year. Think about what a business could do with that extra money each year? What is 10 minutes out of your day when it can save you thousands? In these times we are living in, where our struggling economy is swallowing businesses whole, it pays to find the time in your day to talk about how to better deduct your healthcare expenses. Sacrifice a few minutes out of your lunch, while you walk your dog, or between clients. We know your time is money, so when you talk to us we'll pay you back and then some with the HRA deduction reducing your taxes by thousands each year.

I hope that after you have taken the time read this, you will also think about how you can make difference too. Take the time to talk with other business owners you know and ask what they are doing to contain their healthcare costs. If they tell you they let their CPA handle it, do them a favor and have them give us a call. It will be worth their time, if they will take it!