The remaking of health care got a boost in July when the Treasury Department issued its final guidelines on the use of health savings accounts, or HSAs. Established under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, HSAs are designed to shift more of the responsibility for health-care spending to employees and are a key element of consumer-driven health plans. The IRS's guidelines on HSAs, which were presented in a Q&A format of 88 questions, resolve most issues of administration, coverage and conflicts with other wellness programs. But HSAs are still just one of several options that companies must consider as they rethink their benefits strategies in a fundamental way. The stakes are high.

Health care expenditures
Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement & Modernization Act 2003-US