West Nile Virus Strikes 42 States, Including Oklahoma

August 8, 2012

Many states across the country are reporting higher than normal cases of West Nile virus. Thus far in 2012, 42 states have reported a total of 241 cases West Nile virus infections in people to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This is the highest number of cases reported through the end of July since 2004, according to the CDC. The high count is attributed in large part to the much higher than average number of infested mosquitoes, brought on by the mild winter, early spring and very hot summer we’ve experienced this year.

An incidence map posted on the CDC website shows the highest concentration of human cases in the North Texas region and throughout Mississippi. Almost 80 percent of the cases have been reported from Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

Oklahoma state epidemiologist Kristen Bradley fears we could face the most severe case of West Nile virus ever this year. Already, Oklahoma has had eight confirmed cases, seven of those the more serious strain. The high count is due to the large number of infested mosquitoes this year.

Should I be concerned?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• West Nile can affect anyone, but the very young, the elderly and those already ill are at a higher risk for infection.
• People who work or spend a lot of time outdoors should be aware of mosquito bites and take preventive measures to avoid being bitten.
• Four out of five people who get West Nile won’t get sick, but 1 in 150 people with the virus will develop a severe case

What are the symptoms?

Most cases that occur are mild. However, you should contact your physician or consider going to the emergency room if you have:

• A fever higher than 103° F
• Confusion
• Chest pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe vomiting
• Diarrhea

What can I do?

• Wear an insect repellent, preferably one with DEET, when outdoors
• Avoid being outdoors between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are biting.
• Install or repair screens to keep mosquitoes outside
• Drain standing water to eliminate breeding habitats
• Keep pools, saunas and hot tubs chlorinated
• Wear light-colored clothes when outdoors, and dress in long sleeves and long pants if possible.

Where can I get more information?

The CDC has a fact sheet about West Nile on its website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm

Health Reform in the News – Week of August 6, 2012

Two major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect last week:

1. Health benefits plans are now required to cover a variety of women’s preventive health services without co-payments or other fees. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) an estimated 47 million women between the ages of 15 to 64 and currently enrolled in private insurance plans are now eligible for this coverage
2. Employers must begin the process of distributing premium rebates – in those cases when rebates are required under the medical loss ratio provision – from health plans that exceeded the administrative-to-medical-cost ratio allowed under the law

And while many speculate that support for the ACA will grow as various benefits
take effect, the results of a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey show:

• 6 in 10 continue to oppose the law’s individual mandate
• Public opinion is still divided about the law
• 46 percent of those surveyed say they could still change their minds about the law in the coming months

IRS Announces Inflation Adjustments for 2013 HDHPs and HSAs

August 1, 2012 IRS Announces Inflation Adjustments for 2013 HDHPs and HSAs The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced the inflation adjustments for 2013 High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). These adjustments include maximum HSA contributions, minimum deductible amount and maximum out-of-pocket limits. The following adjustments apply to the calendar year 2013. High Deductible Health Plans An HDHP is defined as a health plan with:

An annual deductiblethat is not less than $1,250 for self-only coverage or $2,500 for family coverage, and The annual out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, copayments, and other amounts, but not premiums) do not exceed $6,250 for self-only coverage or $12,500 for family coverage. Please note that there are two types of deductibles:

An aggregatedeductible requires that the entire family deductible must be met before any one person in the family may receive plan benefits. An embedded deductible allows each person with family coverage to receive full benefits after he/she reaches a specified deductible. The minimum embedded deductible is $2,500 in 2013, the same as the minimum family deductible. Annual: 2013 2012 Minimum Individual Deductible $1,250 $1,200 Minimum Family Deductible $2,500 $2,400 Maximum Individual Out-of-Pocket (in network) $6,250 $6,050 Maximum Family Out-of-Pocket (in network) $12,500 $12,100 Maximum HSA Individual Contribution $3,250 $3,100 Maximum HSA Family Contribution $6,450 $6,250 The 2013 additional HSA catch-up contribution limit (individuals age 55 and older) is the same as 2012: $1,000 The IRS 2013 minimum embedded deductible is $2,500. Preparing for 2013 Employer groups currently offering HDHPs that do not meet the minimum deductible or other requirements for 2013 should work with their producers and account representatives to make the necessary changes.