What Are Safe Harbor Benefits? – List and Explanation
Created
July 20, 2010 by:
HDHPexpert
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The term “Safe Harbor Benefits” refers to preventative treatments that are covered in full from day one as an added benefit of most high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). A deductible does not need to be reached before Safe Harbor Benefits begin being covered in-full.
The insurance carriers want to encourage those insured to regularly obtain preventative care. In theory, covering simple visits in-full (no out-of-pocket cost once insurance pays the provider) such as physicals and gynecological routine exams will lower systemwide medical costs because they will catch serious potential medical concerns early.
The list below outlines Safe Harbor Benefits that are covered by most HDHPs. For the most part they are covered in-full once per 12 months, although some plans do cover certain visits in-full every 6 months. Check with your provider for the most up-to-date information on Safe Harbor Benefits.
Covered in-full with most HDHP’s / HSA-compatibles:
- Adult physicals
- Well child visits
- Mammograms
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests
- Colonoscopies / sigmoidoscopies
- OB/GYN routine exams.
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[...] Under the regulations, plans must cover without copay, coinsurance or deductible – certain preventive services that have “strong scientific evidence of their health benefits.” (Safe Harbor Benefits) [...]