Our Fourth Annual Survey

1. What are the primary services you offer as part of your HSA product?
Aetna: Compatible high deductible medical plan, HSA administration,
HSA investment services
Ben-e-lect: Ben-e-lect HSA proposals give brokers a way to introduce, explain, and implement HDHPs and HSAs properly. We offer a complete package including promotion, training, proposals, plan design, compliance, implementation, cus-tomer service, and payment advisories. Our system helps brokers with implementation up to the member receiving their debit card.
Blue Cross of California: Our new Lumenos HSA products from BC Life & Health Insurance Company include traditional healthcare coverage and a companion HSA through Mellon bank. The HSA includes debit card, banking and investment options, a streamlined enrollment process, integrated medical and HSA customer service unit, and online Web-access to account balances through our online member portal.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield of California has a relationship
with Wells Fargo Bank to administer HSAs for Blue Shield members in HSA-eligible plans. Services include an HSA debit card, dedicated customer service for Blue Shield members with HSAs, online account management for HSAs, and an array of institutional mutual funds for investment of HSA funds.
CIGNA: CIGNA Choice Fund HSA, powered by JPMorgan Chase, is
integrated HSA, combining the plan’s entire healthcare and financial management features into one easy-to-use healthcare product.
• Comprehensive consumer package that includes market leading health coaching and consumerism member service specialists
• Integrated medical and HSA claim capabilities allow members to elect to have the HSA direct payment to the provider with a single EOB documentation of the medical and HSA processing.
• Single sign on to the web for access to the medical plan and the HSA account
• Single member and employer point of contact for questions the medical plan and the HSA
• FDIC insured HSA cash account administered by JPMorgan Chase with a competitive interest rate and low fees
• A diverse range of mutual fund choices in the HSA Investment Account
• Award winning HSA communications program to help educate employees about the HSA advantage.
• Specialized team to support the set up and administration of HSA bank accounts
Member education and information available including medical and pharmacy cost transparency tools, hospital quality comparison tool, and online health risk assessments.
Health Net of California: Health Net of California offers the
EZAccess HSA program, which pairs HSA-compatible PPO plans and an HSA and debit card through Bank of America. Health Net also offers several HSA-compatible health plans. A Visa debit card is offered, which enables members to access their HSA accounts funds. Health Net provides customer service, administration services related to the health plan, and the ability for members to be transferred directly to Bank of America to ask questions related to their HSA.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank’s product offering evolved over the years to
include the following: electronic and online enrollment options; electronic and online contribution options; investment options; a customized HSA Internet Banking platform; educational resources; multi-purse debit card options; and more. HSA Bank focuses on providing a comprehensive health savings account product, including the following: banking services, client education and training, customer service, and ancillary features for added convenience.
Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser Permanente has selected Wells Fargo as
the preferred administrator for our HSA products, which is available to our members who enroll in one of our HSA-eligible plans. Services offered through Wells Fargo include an HSA debit card, online account management, and dedicated customer service.
Sterling HSA: 
Sterling offers a comprehensive range of services,
including a review of the explanation of benefits, bill paying, record keeping, scanning and archiving of bills, receipts, and other critical information in case of IRS audit. It offers options for self-directing investments, flagging expenses submitted as qualified and non-qualified for HSA distribution, and online banking and online access to account information. Sterling also provides education and training for our broker partners, employer groups, and individual account holders.
UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of
consumer-driven health plans in the country with more than 2.2 million members enrolled in consumer-driven health plans that incorporate a health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement account (HRA). As of Sept. 30, 2007, nearly 1.1 million UnitedHealth Group members were enrolled in an HSA plan. Additionally, UnitedHealth Group uses its own financial corporation, Exante Bank, for its HSA program administration. Exante, an FDIC-insured financial institution focused solely on health care banking, is the nation’s largest HSA administrator, with more than 308,000 HSA accounts and $436 million in deposits (including investments). Exante’s HSA account holders receive market competitive interest rates on their deposits, online bill payment options, and direct debit card access to their accounts. Additionally, once they get a $2,000 account balance, they also have the option to invest in a range of highly regarded no-fee, non-proprietary investment options.
Veritas: Online access to funds, debit cards, money market rates,
15 investment fund alternatives, numerous consumer help tools, and IRS claim tracking software standard with Patent Pending Claims Vault Software.

2. Do you offer an HSA-qualifying high deductible health insurance plan?
Aetna: Yes.
Ben-e-lect: We offer a turnkey package including the qualified HDHP 
offered by every carrier in the market, but more importantly, we can offer the HSA with alternative plan choices for members not wishing to enroll in an HSA.
Blue Cross of California: There are many standard plan designs in
our Lumenos HSA portfolio. All plan designs are HSA-qualified, cover preventive care at 100%, and are integrated with the Mellon HSA account. Deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums vary.
Blue Shield of California: Yes, Blue Shield offers HSA-eligible high
deductible health plans in the individual and family plans and e
ployer group markets.
CIGNA: Yes. CIGNA offers a variety of medical plan designs that
meet the definition of a qualified high deductible plan.
Health Net of California: Health Net of California offers HSA-co-
patible PPO plans in all of its commercial segments, including the individual and family plans, small-group and large-group business segments.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank is an HSA administrator and does not pro-
vide the high deductible health insurance plan. However, HSA Bank has many relationships with insurance carriers, third-party administrators and agents that can help you in getting a high deductible health plan. A list of insurance providers and agents that offer HSAs is available at www.hsabank.com/products/find_hdhp.aspx.
Kaiser Permanente: Yes, Kaiser Permanente offers a wide array of
HSA-eligible plans for the individual and family plan and employer group markets.
Sterling HSA: As an independent HSA administrator, Sterling can work
with all HSA compatible plans--fully insured and self-insured.
UnitedHealth Group: Yes, UnitedHealth Group offers several HSA
qualified HDHPs. In addition to administering the medical plan, UnitedHealth Group offers a wide variety of health care services, tools, and tips for its HSA customers.
Veritas: No, We can work with HDHP carrier the broker chooses.

3. Are you providing a health spending arrangement or a savings vehicle?
Aetna: Yes.
Ben-e-lect: Both, so that employers can address the need of every
employee. This gives employees an easy way to choose the right plan for themselves and their family.
Blue Cross of California: Our banking partner, Mellon, administer the 
health savings account.
Blue Shield of California:Yers, Blue Shield offers a health spending 
 
arrangement via a consumer directed health product (CDHP). The health spending arrangement is an HRA sponsored by the employer group. This product with an HRA is available for the self-funded market. All of Blue Shield’s health plans are compatible with HRAs. Blue Shield offers HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans to individual and family plans and employer group markets. Members in HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans may open an HSA with any HSA qualified trustee or custodian.
CIGNA: CIGNA has an extensive offering of consumer funds that in-
clude Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), Health Care Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account and Incentive Health Reimbursement Account (Healthy Awards)
Health Net of California: In addition to HSA-compatible plans, Health
Net of California also offers the Optimizer HMO, which provides members with a health reimbursement arrangement. All our plans use a Bank of America Visa debit card. B of A is the financial custodian and handles the financial portion of the HRA funding account, including issuance of the debit card.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank is solely focused on providing health savings
accounts administration and services. HSA Bank offers multiple account options. Accountholders have access to an interest-bearing, FDIC-insured bank account. Accountholders also have the option to open a non-FDIC insured investment account through TD Ameritrade Corporate Services or HSA Bank’s Mutual Fund Selection platform.
Kaiser Permanente: Members who are enrolled in one of our HSA-
eliigible plans can open a health savings account through our preferred administrator, Wells Fargo. However, members are free to open a health savings account with the financial institution of their choice. Our HSA-eligible health plans are designed to work with all HSA financial providers.
Sterling HSA: 
Sterling HSA does not offer FSA administration.
UnitedHealth Group: Yes, UnitedHealth Group has partnered with
Exante Bank for HSA administration, savings, and investment opportunities.
Veritas: Both

4. What size employee group is the HSA available for?
Aetna: 
All sizes of groups.
Ben-e-lect: Ben-e-lect markets to groups from two to 500 employees. However, the two to 50 market is our focus and better opportunity for brokers.
Blue Cross of California: All.
Blue Shield of California: Our HSA-eligible high-deductible healthplans are available for individual and family plans, small, midsize, and large employer groups. Small groups are defined as having fewer than 50 eligible employees; midsize groups have 51 to 299, and large groups have 300 or more.
CIGNA: Our HSA product is available for employers with 200 or more eligible employees. We also offer qualified High Deductible Health Plans to groups with 50 or more eligible employees.
Health Net: Health Net of California’s HSA-compatible PPO plans are offered to employer groups of all sizes and to people.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank makes HSAs available to all sizes of employee groups and individual policyholders. HSA Bank has relationships with several Taft-Hartley and Fortune 500 companies.
Kaiser Permanente: All.
Sterling HSA: Sterling HSA is available for people, small group, mid-market as well as large group and national clients.
UnitedHealth Group: Our consumer-driven health plans are available to people and groups of all sizes.
Veritas: Two to 5,000

5. Is your management team -experienced in health insurance, financial services, or both?
Aetna: Health insurance.
Ben-e-lect: Both, we offer combined insurance and financial experience.
Blue Cross California: The Blue Cross of California management is experienced in health insurance and all of the requirements related to financial services. However, our partner at Mellon is equally as experienced in financial services.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield is experienced in offering and managing HSA eligible high deductible health plans and other health insurance products.
CIGNA: CIGNA HealthCare is experienced in health insurance. J Morgan Chase, CIGNA HealthCare’s partner in offering an -integrated HSA product is experienced in financial services.
Health Net of California: Health Net of California’s executive man-
agement team has extensive experience in health insurance and - financial services.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank’s management team combines expertise in banking and insurance industries. In addition to our banking professionals, HSA Bank has hired professionals from the insurance and third-party administrator industries. The combined perspectives provide us with insight into the many facets of the HSA industry and differentiates us from our competitors. We recognize the need for flexibility and differentiation with each relationship.
Kaiser Permanente: Both.
Sterling HSA: Sterling HSA’s executive team has extensive experience, over 50 years combines, in healthcare/insurance management. We have complemented those skills with staff and advisory board members (who have experience in financial services) to optimize support of our clients during enrollment and to manage their accounts.
UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealth Group’s primary business focus is in the health insurance industry. Exante Financial Services, a division of UnitedHealth Group, is the only integrated financial services organization dedicated solely to the health care industry.
Veritas: Yes, our management team has over 27 years of combined experience in Group Health.

6. Do you provide training for brokers about HSAs?
Ben-e-lect: Yes, in fact, training is the biggest priority in delivering our products and services. Our training and support allows brokers to use the HDHPs efficiently.
Blue Cross of California: We provide on-going broker communications, newsletters, and product demos as new products are introduced.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield provides a continuing education seminar on HSAs to our individual and family plans brokers periodically. Through our relationship with Wells Fargo, we can coordinate HSA education sponsored by Wells Fargo for all brokers.
CIGNA: CIGNA provides consumerism education on products including the HSA to brokers via forums and through highly skilled sales managers.
Health Net of California: Yes, as part of Health Net of California’s broker education and communication program, training for high-deductible medical insurance products, including health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) is offered.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank provides a comprehensive training program by combining in-person training sessions, webinars, Adobe Flash animation presentations, and customized PowerPoint presentations. The in-person training is conducted by HSA Bank’s regional vice presidents, assistant vice presidents, and business relations coordinators. Additionally, HSA Bank offers a comprehensive communication kit to brokers, which can help them in guiding employers through each phase of the HSA program: implementation, pre-enrollment, enrollment, and ongoing education.
Kaiser Permanente: Yes.
Sterling HSA: Yes, Sterling offers a variety of training options, includ- 
ing CE courses across the nation, lunch and learn meetings for large regional brokerage groups, and individual sessions pairing Sterling account executives with brokers and consultants.
UnitedHealth Group: Yes, we routinely provide training to brokers on 
all of our products and services.
Veritas: Yes.

7. What commissions are paid to brokers and when?
Aetna: Standard commission levels, monthly.
Ben-e-lect: Brokers get the full commission paid by carriers and administrative fees are added into services. Compensation for brokers does not need to be lower just because premiums are reduced.
Blue Cross of California: Brokers will continue to be paid commis-
sions based on the HSA-qualifying high deductible health plan.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield of California pays commissions to brokers on health plans. Referral fees for HSAs vary by financial institution.
CIGNA: CIGNA pays its standard commissions for HSA sales.
Health Net of California: Standard commission schedules and agreements apply.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank offers revenue sharing to brokers at the time the HSA is opened based on application type and on a monthly basis. To receive revenue sharing, HSA Bank requires brokers to have a minimum of five active account referrals.
Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser Permanente allocates commission to brokers for health plan enrollment only. Wells Fargo handles and pays any commissions for the health savings account. By offering your clients an HSA through our preferred administrator, they don’t have to search for a provider, thus facilitating the health plan sale.
Sterling HSA: Commissions are 10% of all fees, paid quarterly on all new and renewing business.
UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealth Group’s standard commission schedules and payment processes apply to the CDH products.
Veritas: The broker sets their own compensation. Paid monthly.

8. Are electronic enrollment forms -accessible through your Website?
Aetna: Yes.
Ben-e-lect: Yes, but we have not implemented it yet since most small groups have preferred paper enrollment to get started. We think 2007 should be a big year for our electronic enrollment systems.
Blue Cross of California: PDF enrollment forms are available for download. Mellon also allows for an online e-signature process to activate the employee’s account. In addition, employers can enroll and maintain their employees’ membership information through our employer portal.
Blue Shield of California: Employers can enroll members into our HDHPs via our online enrollment vendor. Members enrolling in health savings accounts must enroll directly with the HSA trustee or custodian. Many HSA trustees offer electronic enrollment for group set-up and individual enrollments, but it varies by institution.
CIGNA: CIGNA provides an online and paper version of the HSA bank enrollment application. Employers can provide online or paper enrollment options for their employees.
Health Net of California: Health Net of California offers Internet based services to employer groups and people. Typically, smaller employer groups and third-party administrators use www.healthnet.com to update information, and larger groups use the eServices site due to the large volume of information. Information processed through Health Net’s direct website is real-time. Updates from large employer groups that use eServices are downloaded twice a day. Also, during an open-enrollment period, Health Net provides trained staff members who visit employer groups to answer employees’ questions about health insurance issues and the enrollment process.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank’s website provides accountholders with access to individual and group online enrollment systems. The paper enrollment form is also available as a PDF format. Beyond the enrollment forms, accountholders may access the necessary forms online to manage their HSA. HSA Bank provides employers with the Employer Administration Area, which allows the employer to setup and administer its employees’ HSA enrollment, view its employee list, contribute to its employees’ HSAs online, upload contribution data, and sign up for employer updates. Also, HSA Bank’s Employer Communication Kit is available for download from the Employer Administration Area.
Kaiser Permanente: HSA enrollment can be downloaded at
wfhbs.com/kaiserpermanente.
Sterling HSA: Sterling HSA has on-line enrollment for people who are interested in a self-service HSA program, called the eSavings Plan. Sterling account enrollment and management forms are also available on our Website in PDF format to download, print, and send. A form version, which can be filled out, will be available soon.
UnitedHealth Group: Yes, electronic enrollment forms are available through our Website.
Veritas: Yes

9. How do you help account holders with paying medical bills?
Aetna: We provide cost estimator and quality assessment tools to encourage members to become educated consumers.
Ben-e-lect: We educate providers regularly; help explain the plans; and simplify the process for patients. We instruct members not to pay bills until they get our explanation of benefits. This eliminates over payments and refunds from providers.
Blue Cross of California: Account status and explanation-of-benefits are available through our member self-services Website Members can use their debit card or Mellon checks to pay for their out of pocket responsibility. The customer service advocates are available to help members understand their financial responsibility.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank offers several methods for accountholders to access their HSA funds.
1. Debit card: an HSA Visa debit card. This card provides access to the HSA funds at point-of-sale and ATM cash withdrawals.
2. Checks: Accountholders can write a check to a provider to pay for qualified medical expenses or reimburse themselves for expenses already incurred.
3. Withdrawal requests: Accountholders can submit a withdrawal request to HSA Bank. HSA Bank will then send the accountholder a check for the disbursement.
Kaiser Permanente: Kaiser Permanente has a specialized customer service team to address all deductible billing and medical cost questions and provide members with sample fees of our most common medical services and pharmaceuticals.
Sterling HSA: Sterling reviews the explanation of benefits and medical bills for discounts (retail versus wholesale) to ensure that our account holders do not spend more for a healthcare service or product than the insurance company would pay. We also alert accountholders when we spot disbursements that do not appear to comply with IRS rules.
UnitedHealth Group: Participants can use checks or a debit card to access funds in their HSA to pay providers directly for outstanding expenses or reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket expenses paid to a provider. UnitedHealth Group then gives members monthly health statements that provide personalized cost-saving and health improvement tips, as well as simple charts showing people’ claims experience and health care account balances – all in a an easy, concise, plain-English sort of way.
Veritas: We will substantiate and certify qualified expenses and hold those receipts in the member’s private claims vault for future reference.

10. How does the administrator help the accountholder with -insurance-related questions?
Blue Cross of California: Our customer service advocates are experts in HSAs and HSA-compatible health plans. They respond to consumer questions on benefits, claims, account use, and qualified medical expenses. Questions about investments, reports of lost or stolen debit cards or other banking related questions are transferred directly to Mellon.
Blue Shield of California: As a health plan, Blue Shield determines plan eligibility and payment for services incurred. This includes determining plan and member responsibility based on plan agreements. In terms of paying for medical bills from the HSA, the member is responsible for determining what qualified medical expenses they can choose to pay out of the HSA. Any HSA financial transactions are managed by the HSA trustee or custodian. (This involves movement of money in and out of the HSA regardless of qualified medical expenses status).
CIGNA: CIGNA helps account holders with managing their healthcare expenses with information decision support tools and ready access to HSA funds, including:
• Hospital, Radiation, and Outpatient Treatment Cost Transparency Tools that provide the out-of-pocket costs to members according to their plan.
• Pharmacy Price Quote Tool provides and compares real time out-of-pocket costs for brand name, generic and over the counter medications at 57,000 pharmacies nationwide.
Health Net of California: Health Net of California helps by:
1. Educating members to not pay medical bills until an Explanation of Benefits is received indicating the member’s financial responsibility. This eliminates over payments the need to reqest refunds from providers.
2. Offering members a treatment cost calculator, drug cost estimator and other assessment tools through Health Net’s web-based Decision Power program, which helps consumers make better-informed decisions and increase their understanding of health care and treatment options. The assessment tools are online information database comparison tools.
3. Making our Member Services department available to help members with claims-related issues.
Ben-e-lect: We offer complete customer service interface with the HDHP. In fact, we instruct members to call us before contacting the HDHP. This is a critical component of making the members comfortable with HSAs.
Blue Shield of California: All insurance-related questions are referred back to Blue Shield.
CIGNA: CIGNA offers integrated customer service via our mycigna.com Website and a toll-free telephone number to respond to questions about the member’s health insurance and the HSA.
Health Net of California: Bank of America offers HSA account admin- 
istration expertise, investment options, Treasury Department guidance questions, and information about issues related to its health savings account administrative operations. B of A also handles the financial portion of the HRA funding account, including the issuance of the HRA debit card.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank does not answer insurance-related questions. However, HSA Bank will help the accountholder, whenever possible, in contacting the correct health plan provider and helping with questions regarding HSA qualification.
Sterling HSA: Our customer services representatives are available toll-free at 800-617-4729, and via e-mail, at customer.service@sterlinghsa.com from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. PST Monday-Friday.
UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealth Group’s Customer Care Professionals are available to respond to all insurance-related questions
Veritas: Customer service representatives are all fully trained on all plan aspects of the employer’s HDHP benefits, PPO network, etc. The Veritas website has links to important and useful items of the member’s health plan.

Part II in Our February Issue

Look for part III in March.

11. Is the administrator integrated with the health plan?
Aetna: Yes
Ben-e-lect: Completely, which we feel is the key to efficient administrtion and reduction in errors.
Blue Cross of California: The Blue Cross Lumenos HSA plan is integrated with Mellon Bank. We feed eligibility to Mellon to simplify the account establishment process. Customer service advocates support the medical and HSA customer service and have access to HSA information. We also get an account balance feed from Mellon to display the consumer’s account balance on our member self-services Website.
Blue Shield of California: Not at this time.
CIGNA: Yes, the high deductible health plan is fully integrated with
the HSA.
Health Net of California: At this time, claims payment is not integra-
ed with Health Net’s California HSA offering.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank has relationships with more than 175 healthplan providers. Each relationship has different levels of integration, including several with integrated customer service and enrollment.
Kaiser Permanente: No.
Sterling HSA: We are an independent administrator available to work
with all health plans across the nation.
UnitedHealth Group: Yes. In 2002, UnitedHealth Group chartered Exante Bank to help advance the growing convergence of health care and financial services and to provide consumers a more integrated experience.
Veritas: No, except through links from the Veritas website.

12. Are investment choices limited by the administrator?
Aetna: The administrator provides a diverse fund selection by asset classes supporting a range of investment objectives.
Ben-e-lect: No.
Blue Cross of California: Mellon offers seven different mutual funds through the Dreyfus family of mutual funds.
Blue Shield of California: Yes.
CIGNA: CIGNA offers a customized slate of diversified HSA investment options through JP Morgan Chase as part of our CIGNA Choice Fund HSA. The investment options include:
• JP Morgan Prime Money Market Fund
• JP Morgan Investor Balanced Fund
• JP Morgan Ultra Short Term Bond Fund
• JP Morgan Equity Index Fund
• Royce Premier Fund
• T. Rowe Price International Growth and Income Fund the minimum HSA cash account balance required for a participant to invest in one or more of these options is $2,000.
Health Net of California: Bank of America’s 2008 HSA investment options range from money market funds to equity and bond funds. Investment options are not applicable to an HRA plan, as employers are required to ensure there are sufficient funds in a transfer account to cover the cost of claims paid via the debit card.
HSA Bank: No. HSA Bank offers two self-directed investment options–a TD Ameritrade Corporate Services investment account and a Mutual Fund Selection investment account. The full-service investment account option allows brokers to provide investment services for HSA funds through their broker dealer (the broker dealer must be signed up with HSA Bank). All broker dealers who clear through Pershing can sign up with HSA Bank.
Sterling HSA: Not at all, our account holders can use any IRS qualified investment for their funds including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and CDs.
Veritas: Yes.

13. What forms are needed to submit an HSA case?
Aetna: Aetna’s standard enrollment processes are used. There are separate medical and HSA elections. Eligibility/enrollment options are electronic batch enrollment, paper enrollment, and Web enrollment.
Ben-e-lect: A standard type of employer and employee application is used along with beneficiary and declaration forms.
Blue Cross of California: We require our standard group application and paperwork. In addition, the client signs an HSA agreement and an HSA addendum to the group application, which indicates the client’s choices for the HSA set up.
Blue Shield of California: A group or individual application with Blue Shield will start the process of HSA enrollment.
CIGNA: CIGNA’s standard processes and forms are used for all CIGNA products including the HSA.
Health Net of California: Employer groups and employees must complete a Bank of America HSA enrollment form to set up an HSA.
HSA Bank: The broker is not required to complete any forms to refer account holders to HSA Bank. In order to participate in revenue sharing, a broker must get an agent identification number (AIN) through www.hsabank.com. The accountholders are required to complete an HSA application, via paper or HSA Bank’s online enrollment system. HSA Bank requires employers to complete an employer sign-up form prior to setting up enrollment or providing contributions for its employees.
Kaiser Permanente: Most qualified medical expenses can be paid at point-of-service or at point-of-sale with the HSA debit card. However, if the member wants to submit a reimbursement claim manually, a claim reimbursement form can be downloaded at wfhbs.com/kaiserpermanente. The member would mail completed form to Wells Fargo or call toll-free fax for reimbursement.
Sterling HSA: All that is required is the employer group application kit (for groups) and the individual account holder application kit for each account holder, along with a list bill and employer preferred form of contribution. All forms are available on the Website at www.SterlingHSA.com.
UnitedHealth Group: Employers contributing to the HSA account are required to complete an employer discovery document. Individuals establishing an HSA account need to complete the welcome kit and submit the signature card (or electronic signature) and beneficiary designation.
Veritas: Employer specification sheet and HSA applications.

14. Do you plan to offer an HSA-eligible plan to your own employees?
Aetna: Aetna Inc. offers several HSA-eligible plans to our employees.
Ben-e-lect: Yes, it has been offered since January 1, 2005. The introduction was a huge success. We are looking forward to our renewal period and the potential for more members to enroll in the HSA.
Blue Cross of California: All Blue Cross of California eligible employees have the option to choose a Blue Cross Lumenos HSA plan.
Blue Shield of California: Yes, we are offering an HSA eligible plan to our own employees.
CIGNA: Yes, CIGNA has offered employees HRA and HSA plan options since January 2005.
Health Net of California: In 2007, Health Net Inc. offered employees nationwide an HSA PPO plan in partnership with Bank of America.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank is a division of Webster Bank, N.A. Webster Bank has offered at least one HSA-eligible plan to its own employees since 2005.
Kaiser Permanente: HSA-eligible plans for our employees are under consideration.
Sterling HSA: We already do. The plans became available in early
2004.
UnitedHealth Group: All UnitedHealth Group employees have the option of enrolling in an HSA or HRA.
Veritas: We only offer an HSA qualified plan to our employees. There
is no other choice.

15. Are you using a trustee? If so, how long have you been with the trustee?
Aetna: Yes, since May 2004
Ben-e-lect: Yes, since 2006.
Blue Cross of California: The Blue Cross Lumenos HSA offers an HSA 
through our partner Mellon/ACS.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield has had a relationship with Wells Fargo since October 2004. Members can choose Wells Fargo or any other qualified trustee or custodian to administer health savings accounts.
CIGNA: JP Morgan Chase has been the trustee for our CIGNA Choice Fund HSA product since January 1, 2005.
Health Net of California: Bank of America became the financial cus-
todian for Health Net of California’s HSA plans in 2007.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank is an HSA custodian with over 10 years of
experience in the health care savings account industry.
Kaiser Permanente: We first began selling HSA-eligible health plans with an optional HSA through Wells Fargo in our Colorado region in late 2004, with an effective date of January 1, 2005.
Sterling HSA: Sterling HSA uses Mechanics Bank as the custodian.
UnitedHealth Group: Yes, UnitedHealth Group partners with Exante Bank for trustee services. UnitedHealth Group chartered Exante Bank in 2002 to help advance the growing convergence of health care and financial services.
Veritas: Yes, 28 months.

16. What service guarantees do you offer?
Aetna: We do not offer HSA service guarantees.
Ben-e-lect: Turn around and accuracy for handling and financial calcu-
lations.
Blue Cross of California: It is negotiable for large cases.
Blue Shield of California: Our relationship with Wells Fargo provides for a number of service level agreements. A typical service guarantee would be telephone average speed of response.
CIGNA: The standard performance guarantees apply.
Health Net of California: Not applicable.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank can customize service guarantees based on each relationship. Please contact HSA Bank if you would like additional information on its service guarantees.
Kaiser Permanente: Not applicable.
Sterling HSA: Sterling HSA offers a full money back guarantee for up to 12 months of paid monthly maintenance fees if our account holders are unhappy with our service. Sterling was the first HSA administrator to offer such a guarantee.
UnitedHealth Group: Service guarantees will vary based on the scope of the relationship with the customer, but are typically available with respect to administrative service delivered under the plan.
Veritas: None

17. What kinds of depositories are desired?
Aetna: Not applicable.
Ben-e-lect: Minimum
Blue Cross of California: There is no minimum balance requirement.
Wells Fargo provides for the following:
• The minimum HSA deposit is $100 for individual and family plans members.
• There is no minimum deposit for employer groups.
• Any deposits after the initial $100 can be directed into investment accounts dictated by the member.
CIGNA: There are no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Contributions to the HSA can be funded through employer facilitated pre-tax payroll contributions (EFT/ACH transactions) or through unscheduled deposits in which participants arrange from an EFT from their personal bank account or send a check and deposit slip to a lockbox for contribution to their HSA.
Health Net of California: Not applicable.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank does not require a minimum deposit to open an HSA. The monthly account maintenance fee is waived for balances of $3,000 or more.
Kaiser Permanente: The arrangement with Wells Fargo is the following:
• Minimum opening HSA deposit of $100 for individual and family plan members.
• No minimum deposit for employer groups with payroll deduction.
• Deposits beyond the initial $100 are swept into the mutual fund selected by the member.
• The monthly account maintenance fee is waived once the account exceeds $2,500.
Sterling HSA: Sterling aggregates all deposits from employers, employees, and individuals. We can accept cash, check and ACH transfers, and EFT through our Website in a password protected environment.
Veritas: Monthly

18. Where is your company headquartered?
Aetna: Hartford, Conn.
Ben-e-lect: Corporate offices are in Visalia, Ca with additional claims CSR offices in Fresno. In addition, we have eight regional sales offices through out California.
Blue Cross of California: Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Blue Shield of California: San Francisco, Calif.
CIGNA: CIGNA HealthCare is headquartered in Bloomfield, CT and CIGNA Corp., the parent company, is headquartered in Philadelphia.
Health Net of California: Woodland Hills, Calif.
HSA Bank: HSA Bank is a division of Webster Bank, N.A. The HSA Bank division is located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Webster Bank is headquartered in Waterbury, Conn.
Kaiser Permanente: Oakland, Calif.
Sterling HSA: Oakland, Calif.
UnitedHealth Group: Minnetonka, Minn.
Veritas: Redding, Calif.

19. Please provide the phone number and e-mail that brokers can use to find out more about your plan.
Aetna: 877-249-2472, prompt 6
Ben-e-lect: Phone 888-886-7973, fax 559-635-6527, e-mail: rfp@Ben-e-lect.com
Blue Cross of California: Brokers should contact their regional sales manager (individual and small group) or their group sales manager (large group).
Blue Cross of California: Brokers should contact their regional sales manager (individual and small group) or their group sales manager (large group).
Blue Shield of California: Brokers can call their Blue Shield sales representative; call Blue Shield Producer Services at 800-559-5905; or visit Producer Connection at www.blueshieldca.com.
CIGNA: Please contact your local CIGNA HealthCare sales representative at 888-802-4462. Health Net of California: Licensed brokers send correspondence to: 
Health Net Broker Relations, P.O. Box 9103, Van Nuys, CA 91409-9103
Phone: 800-448-4411, Option 4
Fax: (818) 676-7977, brokers@healthnet.com
HSA Bank: HSA Bank’s Business Relations coordinators are available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., central time, at 866-357-5232. You may also email HSA Bank’s Business Relations Coordinators at businessrelations@hsabank.com or visit our website at www.hsabank.com.
Kaiser Permanente: Individual and Family Broker Sales:
800-789-4661, option 6 or 800-207-5084
Small Business Broker Sales: 800-789-4661
Broker Administration Dept.: 800-440-2323
Member Service Call Center: 800-464-4000 English
For questions about Kaiser Permanente’s CarePay HSA offered through Wells Fargo: 866-449-9929 Member/Employer number: 866-890-8308
Sterling HSA: Our customer service and broker service number is 800 –617-4729 or customer.service@sterlinghsa.com. We have account executives and managers who support our broker and consultant channel as well. Their individual names and phone numbers are available on our Website at www.sterlinghsa.com on the Team page.
UnitedHealth Group: For more information, please visit www.unitedhealthcare.com.
Veritas: www.myveritashealth.com 877-313-7700

20. Which market segment (small/mid/large) do you anticipate these plans will best accommodate?
Aetna: All segments.
Ben-e-lect: This will be strongly influenced by the HDHP offered by carriers. The two to 50 market has the most aggressive offerings. We expect the 51 to 199 market to develop in 2007. But, if I were a broker, I would focus on the two to 50 market.
Blue Cross of California: All sizes. Individual also.
Blue Shield of California: HSA-eligible plans are generating interest from all market segments, including individual and group markets. To date, Blue Shield’s membership in HSA-eligible plans encompasses all lines of business – from the individual group market to large, major employers.
CIGNA: We believe that HSAs and consumer directed health plans would be appropriate for all markets.
Health Net of California: These plans will best accommodate the large-group, small-group, and individual segments.
Sterling HSA: HDHP/HSAs accommodate all market segments. The early adopters were individuals and small groups because they make changes easily and they are most affected by double-digit increases to their health plan premiums. Mid-market accounts and the large and national employers have joined the CDHP and HSA program in January of 2005 and we have seen steady growth since that time.
UnitedHealth Group: All segments.
Veritas: All markets

21. What channels have been most effective in selling HSAs?
Aetna: Brokers and general agents, consultants, Aetna sales force.
Ben-e-lect: One hundred percent of our distribution is through independent brokers. This is why we have invested heavily in our sales team including sales managers for sales support and account managers for enrollment support. Plus, our Web-based quoting system delivers multiple HDHPs with mix and match or HSA components. With our sales support, the broker has a simple method for delivering consumer driven plans to clients and prospects.
Blue Cross of California: Agents and brokers.
Blue Shield of California: Blue Shield is a broker-driven organization. Our HSA-eligible high-deductible health plans are sold via the broker channel. To help brokers in selling our HSA-eligible plans, we give them with educational and marketing material to help them sell HSAs during the plan purchase.
CIGNA: We have found that the broker/consultant channel has been the most effective.
Health Net of California: Brokers and general agents have been the most effective in selling HSAs.
Sterling HSA: The broker who understands the market need and the value proposition of the HDHP/HSA is very successful in selling HSAs. The trend difference on the HDHP and HMO, or traditional PPO is usually so significant that when strategizing for a long term, sustainable solution, this really works.
UnitedHealth Group: UnitedHealth Group’s HSA-qualified plans are sold primarily through brokers.
Veritas: Mid Market using our interactive proposal system through brokers.

22. Which customer segments have been most receptive to HSAs?
Aetna: All customer segments.
Ben-e-lect: At Ben-e-lect, our customer is the broker. The most successful broker for us is one who strives for growth in their agency or client retention.
Blue Cross of California: All segments.
Blue Shield of California: HSA-eligible plans appeal to all customer segments – from the individual market to small, midsize, and large groups.
CIGNA: All segments have been receptive to the HSA.
Health Net of California: Individual plans and small group are most receptive in California. Overall nationwide, professionals and self-employed business owners ages 35 to 50 are the most receptive.
Sterling HSA: Customers who feel that their yearly double-digit health-care cost increases are unsustainable are rapidly moving to the HSA market. Areas with high PPO penetration move quickly as well.
UnitedHealth Group: All segments have been receptive to the HSA product.
Veritas: With the exception odd public sector clients, all market segments have been responsive. White-collar, blue-collar, small, and large size employers.