More care covered before the deductible is met

This summer, the IRS expanded the list of preventive care benefits that can be covered by a high deductible plan before the deductible is met. 

Why does this matter? In a high deductible plan, only preventive care is covered before the consumer meets their deductible. The longer list of accepted services means more care will be covered at no or low-cost to employees.

The newly covered services only apply when prescribed to treat a person diagnosed with a specific chronic condition, and when prescribed for the purpose of preventing exacerbation of that chronic condition or the development of a secondary condition.

Below a list of the newly covered preventive care for specific conditions, and the associated conditions.

More: IRS sets HSA limits for 2020

• Angiotensis Converting Enzyme inhibitors | Congestive heart failure, diabetes and/or coronary artery disease
• Anti-resorptive therapy | Osteoporosis and/or osteopenia
• Beta-blockers | Congestive heart failure and/or coronary artery disease
• Blood pressure monitor | Hypertension
• Inhaled corticosteroids | Asthma
• Insulin and other glucose lowering agents | Diabetes
• Retinopathy screening | Diabetes
• Peak flow meter | Asthma
• Glucometer | Diabetes
• Hemoglobin A1c testing | Diabetes
• International Normalized Ratio testing | Liver disease and/or bleeding disorders
• Low-density Lipoprotein testing | Heart disease
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors | Depression
• Statins | Heart disease and/or diabetes

Here is a list of preventive care already covered, from Healthcare.gov: 

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm one-time screening for men of specified ages who have ever smoked
• Alcohol misuse screening and counseling
• Aspirin use to prevent cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer for adults 50 to 59 years with a high cardiovascular risk
• Blood pressure screening
• Cholesterol screening for adults of certain ages or at higher risk
• Colorectal cancer screening for adults 50 to 75
• Depression screening