IRS ruling makes patient power a reality for all employers.

In June, 2002, the Internal Revenue Service released guidance on the use of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) by employers. This action added another important tool to the effort to restore patient power to a financing system that has become ever more dysfunctional over the years. HRAs are far more flexible in design than earlier efforts such as Medical Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts. Ironically, because of the IRS, innovation is likely to continue in the area of employee benefits.