Zane Benefits Publishes Guide to Medical Reimbursement Accounts

Zane Benefits, which provides businesses with flexible and comprehensive alternatives to traditional employer health benefits, today published information about Medical Reimbursement Accounts.

Medical Reimbursement Accounts (MRAs) are IRS-approved plans wherein an employer reimburses an employee, their spouses, and dependents for medical expenses. Because the reimbursement occurs pre-tax via payroll, employees and employers often save up to 50% in combined taxes on the cost of medical expenses.

Read the Complete Guide to Medical Reimbursement Accounts HERE

MRAs give employers greater control over monthly health benefits costs, and give employees more choice in their health care coverage. With an MRA, the employer sets their own parameters, including:

• Which expenses and services are covered
• Maximum contribution amounts
• What happens to unused contributions

MRAs must be funded solely by the employer, and cannot be funded by the employee through salary deductions. MRAs are not subject to the same plan design requirements that apply to Flexible Spending Accounts and Section 125 cafeteria plans.

MRAs by Other Names

The term "Medical Reimbursement Account" is synonymous with many other terms, and can be used interchangeably with the following:

•  Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
•  Health Reimbursement Account
•  Health Reimbursement Plan (HRP)
•  Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)
•  Medical Reimbursement Plan (MRP)
•  Section 105 Plan

Health Reimbursement Arrangement is the most common term, and one that is used by the IRS.

Read the Complete Guide to Medical Reimbursement Accounts HERE