CPA Australia President Richard Petty comments on the 2009 Federal Budget

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Year-End Health Insurance Check-Up Nine Tips from eHealthInsurance for Saving Money and Avoiding Insurance Mistakes Before You Ring in the New Year MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, December 19, 2008 eHealthInsurance, the leading online source of health insurance for individuals, families and small businesses, today released tips for maximizing your healthcare dollars in 2008 and minimizing your healthcare expenses in 2009. •Tip #1: Dont toss the fine print: Many health insurance carriers make updates on existing plan rates and benefits at year end. These changes are usually communicated through mailers and people may throw these mailers away without reading them. Read the correspondence thoroughly so that youre not surprised about changes in your plan. •Tip #2: Shop around: If your rates or deductibles are increasing dramatically in the New Year, shop around. Insurance companies are often adding new products every year, and you might find a better deal. •Tip #3: New year, new deductible: Most health insurance carriers reset the deductible every calendar year. If youve exhausted your deductible in 2008, make sure any year-end claims are submitted before January 1st so they are not applied towards your 2009 deductible. •Tip #4: Deduct medical expenses: If your familys medical costs for the year are approaching 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, those expenses may be tax-deductible. Check with your tax advisor or the IRS website to see if you are able to deduct these expenses. •Tip #5 …