The Rose Newsletter includes blog posts and article summaries on disability and accessibility news, pioneers in disability activism, insights on accessibility home modifications, and simplifying U.S. disability and accessibility policies. Our mission with the Rose Newsletter is to provide an informative product that enables anyone to further their knowledge base to support themselves, their family, their neighbors, and their community. This newsletter seeks to share the stories of people with disabilities, cut through stereotypes that are everywhere, educate on accessibility rights and needs, and promote policies for a more accessible world.Our mission is simple: Making the world accessible, always.

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The Online Community Dedicated to Barrier-Free Living

Join us in embracing our new name Rosarium Health. Rosarium, derived from the Latin word for&nbsp; "rose," represents the delicate but resilient essence of health and healing. Like the intertwined petals of a rose, it signifies the interconnection of each individual's path toward greater health. We hope that by changing our name, we will create a feeling of unity and compassion in our unique approach to the intersection of healthcare and housing.&nbsp;So, what is Rosarium Health?&nbsp;Rosarium Health is a risk-bearing, enablement platform with an integrated service provider network. We connect occupational therapists and home remodeling companies to households in need of accessible home modifications. Our mission is to create accessible communities by connecting People, Builders, and Services through a platform that is convenient and comprehensive. Our choice to adopt this new name is motivated by a strong feeling of empathy and purpose. It symbolizes our company's growth and our constant dedication to the health of households.We understand that health is a profoundly personal and frequently difficult component of life. Rosarium Health has developed an innovative solution that alleviates both physical pain and the administrative hassle of working across the home improvement and healthcare industries. Our new name reflects our dedication to delivering compassionate treatment and serving individuals and their loved ones along their healthcare journey.&nbsp; Instead of a name that conveys the services we enable (home modifications/repairs), we will have a name that conveys the outcome of our product (inclusive, accessible environments).&nbsp;Our core principles, purpose, and personnel have not altered. We will continue to develop solutions that improve health outcomes, increase access to great healthcare, and set the tone for the emerging healthcare and housing space. Our dedication to empathy, honesty, and creativity is central to our work.&nbsp;At Rosarium Health, we deliver experiences that are meaningful, localized, and personal. Cultural competency is essential to our mission because we recognize the significance of knowing and respecting varied origins and demands. This cultural competency enables us to remain present and acknowledge the existing obstacles and constraints households face in their lived experiences. We are well-equipped to handle the difficult terrain of both housing and healthcare fields because of our team’s experience in each respective industry.We are dealing with a big issue. The lack of adequate, affordable, accessible housing is failing our country's residents. Today, 50 million individuals over 50 years of age live in substandard housing, and this number is expected to exceed 70 million by 2030. In-home accessibility is an important social predictor of health; however, just 3% of housing in the United States is accessible. Rosarium Health is a fulcrum to provide in-home care options, reduce healthcare disparities, and lower total medical expenditures by boosting household accessibility. In combining occupational therapy, home remodeling, and value-based care, Rosarium Health will establish a healthcare experience that supports better, more dignified health outcomes.Thank you to our supporters for your unwavering confidence in our organization. Your faith in our vision has propelled us forward, and we are eager to begin this new chapter with you. For those newer to our work, we encourage you to join us on our vision of making the world accessible, always.&nbsp;Sincerely,Rosarium Health Team

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Join us in embracing our new name Rosarium Health. Instead of a name that conveys the services we enable (home modifications/repairs), we will have a name that conveys the outcome of our product (inclusive, accessible environments). 

New Name. Same Mission

Patrycja Paterska sat down with Rose’s CEO, Cameron Carter, to chat about what’s next for digital healthcare and how to integrate into the already existing healthcare system to innovate on top of it.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.elpassion.com/blog/interview-with-cameron-carter-rose">–&gt; Read the article here</a>

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Cameron Carter speaks with Patrycja Paterska of ElPassion.com about what’s next for digital healthcare and how to integrate into the already existing healthcare system to innovate on top of it.

Value-based Care is The Next Step for Healthcare — Interview with Cameron Carter, CEO at Rose (ElPassion.com)

On <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-293-accessible-housing-is-a-social/id1151890990?i=1000559914020">Episode 293</a>, Rose CEO, Cameron Carter, talks all about accessible housing and home modifications with Andrew Gurza of Disability After Dark. Cameron talks about why he created Rose to connect individuals who need home modifications to certified contractors who understand the importance of accessible housing to the quality of life for disabled people. Cameron talks about his personal connections to disability, his background that brought him to want to create Rose and so much more!–&gt;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-293-accessible-housing-is-a-social/id1151890990?i=1000559914020">Listen on Apple Podcasts</a>

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Rose CEO, Cameron Carter, chats with Andrew Gurza of Disability After Dark about accessible housing, home modifications, and the importance of accessible housing to the quality of life for disabled people.

Podcast: Disability After Dark EPISODE 293 – Accessible Housing is a Social Determinant of Health w/ Rose CEO Cameron Carter

Healthcare takes a huge chunk of every family’s monthly budget. That’s because the price of health care services and insurance premiums seem to increase every year. And with the sharply rising costs in healthcare, there have been changes in how individuals are asked to allocate their healthcare budget.The Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) were created to offset rising healthcare costs. On the other hand, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) were made to help combat the drawbacks of HRAs. Part of the 1978 tax legislation was that FSAs would come in handy since employees couldn’t contribute to their HRAs.The arrangements were swiftly added to different pre-tax employee benefits choices. Later in 2003, HSAs-Health Savings Accounts were established. They helped individuals covered by high-deductible health plans; HDHPs get tax-excluded treatment with pre-tax dollars. Generally, this helped reduce medical costs.&nbsp;<h1>What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?</h1>An employer usually offers a Health Savings Account alongside a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). However, if you are self-employed, you can also set up your individual high-deductible plan. You are only eligible for an HSA if you have a qualifying HDHP.In an HSA, a portion or all of the deductible amount is deposited in an HSA account to cover costs until the tax-deductible is met or the health insurance policy takes on the financial burden. After setting up your HSA, you can contribute additional money to it via a payroll deduction from the gross income.Since money contributed to the HSA account comes from pre-tax dollars, it significantly reduces the amount filed for tax purposes. What’s more, the interests or earnings on your HSA card are also tax-free.&nbsp;<h1>What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?</h1>On the other hand, the FSA is much like an HSA, only that it’s not allowed for self-employed individuals. A significant benefit that people realize with FSAs is that you can set up a Dependent Care FSA. This will enable you to make withdrawals for childcare expenses. Also, depending on your company’s plan, you could have a regular FSA on the side to cover medical costs.Notably, with FSAs, you can contribute with your gross pay. That makes contributions to your account tax-free. And as long as you use the money for qualified medical expenses, you won’t owe any taxes, even on withdrawal.&nbsp;<h1>What are the Key Differences between HSA and FSA Cards?</h1><h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; i. Eligibility</h3>FSAs are only offered by employers, while HSAs can either be provided by an employer or opened by an individual. And while anyone whose company can contribute to an FSA, when it comes to HSAs, you must have a qualifying HDHP.<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ii. Tax Rules</h3>Both HSA and FSAs allow you to make contributions with pre-tax dollars; the accounts have different tax purposes. The accounts have different contribution limits; HSAs can allow catch-up contributions for people over 55 years, while FSAs don’t.<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp; iii. Investing</h3>The money you contribute to your HSA account can be put into an account with a financial institution. You can then invest the HSA money to grow your funds. Unfortunately, you can’t do the same with FSA funds.<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp; iv. Use of Funds</h3>Money on your HSA card can only be used for healthcare expenses only. On the other hand, FSAs are available in different forms; health care and dependent care FSAs. Dependent care FSA money can be used to pay for adult or child care expenses.<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; v. Account Ownership</h3>An HSA solely belongs to you. That means, in case you leave your job, you can take the HAS with you. The case is different for FSAs as you forfeit it as soon as you leave your job. The only exceptions are if you are eligible for an FSA COBRA continuation coverage.<h3>&nbsp;&nbsp; vi. Carryover Rules</h3>The funds in your FSA card must be spent within the same year you make contributions. In some cases, you can carry over funds from your current year FSA into the next without affecting your contribution limit. Another option would be using the funds during the end-year grace period.All the same, keep in mind that not all FSAs have this option. On the other hand, you don’t have to withdraw funds contributed to your HSA. You can leave them invested and allow them to grow for as long as possible.<h3>&nbsp;vii. Withdrawals</h3>Funds in your FSA card can only be used to cover medical expenses. On the other hand, funds in your HSA account can be withdrawn at any time. However, if you make your withdrawals before age 65, you will be subject to a 20% penalty and income taxes if the money doesn’t go to cover medical expenses. If you’re over 65, you can withdraw the funds for any purpose and will only pay taxes at your usual income tax rate.<h1>Summary</h1>Undoubtedly, HSAs are a better choice for most people as they offer more flexibility. But if you don’t have a qualifying HDHP and don’t meet eligibility requirements for HSAs, an FSA is the only best option for paying your medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. With an FSA, however, keep an eye on your account so that your accrued funds don’t expire at the end of the year.

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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) were made to help combat the drawbacks of HRAs. Part of the 1978 tax legislation was that FSAs would come in handy since employees couldn’t contribute to their HRAs. Later in 2003, HSAs-Health Savings Accounts were established. 

HSA and FSA Cards- Background on HSA/FSA Cards 

The Problem Over the past 20 years, the healthcare ecosystem in the United States has transformed how we search, utilize, and pay for care. From texting with nurses during emergencies to speaking with physicians in your first language virtually, and even to robust at-home prescription medication delivery services. As healthcare has evolved, one function of the healthcare ecosystem continues to be the most underfunded, under-appreciated, and fragmented: services for individuals with disabilities. This population continues to be underserved as little has changed since the enactment of the American Disabilities Act in 1990.At the<a href="https://innovation.cms.gov/"> Center of Medicare and Medicaid Innovation</a> (CMMI), whose sole job it is to develop and test innovative health care payment and care models, no effort has been made to innovate the models of care for individuals with disability needs. And, in 2021, less than 1% of the $500Bn+ spent by venture capital firms backed startups that focused on the improvement or, at minimum, maintenance of quality of life for those living with physical disabilities. Why Now? More than 61 million people in America live with a disability, and many individuals and families struggle to understand how to best support this population.  This is issue is compounded by the growth of the U.S. aging population. The U.S. Census data projects that by 2035, a third of U.S. households will be headed by someone aged 65 or older, and 20% of U.S. citizens will be over the age of 65. Today, the fastest growing age group in the U.S. are those 85 years and older.An addressable need of both populations is personalized, accessible housing. To us, appropriate housing is a form of preventative care. The average American spends 62% of their waking time at home. Today, the U.S. does not have the accessible housing stock to meet the needs of its population with disabilities nor those aging with physical disabilities. Specifically, there is a housing stock deficit of 9MM households that are “livable to people with moderate difficulties.” As the U.S. population ages over the next two decades and citizens choose to remain in their current housing situations, this will result in a supply-demand gap for accessible housing never seen in modern human history. This will result in an increased need for home retrofitting and improvement spending to meet the daily needs of an aging population and growing population with disability needs.Who am I? I’ve seen firsthand how the U.S. healthcare system has failed individuals with disabilities. After spending nearly, a decade in academia teaching and researching the topics of healthcare disparities and metabolic diseases, I spent time the last eight years leading product development at some of the most successful venture capital backed healthcare startups (e.g., Truven Health Analytic, Evolent Health, and Bright Health) to recently leading U.S. business development at the world’s largest dialysis provider, DaVita. My experiences have given me a front row seat into how healthcare works and doesn’t work, more specifically who it is not serving. One thing remains clear: we can no longer ignore or delay our investments in this growing and often overlooked population.Introducing Rose Rose is a platform for individuals with physical disabilities and seniors to connect with certified home modification providers (“providers”) to complete home remodeling projects. With Rose, individuals will be able to search providers, design in the platform, schedule and monitor projects, pay on the platform, build community, and purchase other accessibility goods/services. For providers, Rose will serve as a conduit for your digital business and will offer dynamic capabilities including online payments, cost estimators, video chat, invoice/billing support, multilingual customer support, and more.I fully recognize the tall task in this effort. I understand the fragmented nature of the home improvement market, the trust needed to be built with various communities, and the difficulties of starting a business from scratch. However, when I think about the future, I cannot sit back and ignore a problem staring me straight in the face. When I think about the arch of life, at some point, whether it’s short-term, long-term, or permanently, we will experience a form of a disability. So, we’re building Rose not only for the many people who currently need this product, but also for you. This is for your family members, your neighbors, your coworkers, and anyone who may need help fully accessing all parts of life.I hope you join me on this journey making the world accessible, alwaysCameron Carter CEO and Co-Founder

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We're launching a platform that connects individuals to home modification providers who complete accessible home improvement projects. Learn more with this blog post about how it works, what we offer, and why its important.

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The Online Community Dedicated to Barrier-Free Living

New Name. Same Mission

Value-based Care is The Next Step for Healthcare — Interview with Cameron Carter, CEO at Rose (ElPassion.com)

Podcast: Disability After Dark EPISODE 293 – Accessible Housing is a Social Determinant of Health w/ Rose CEO Cameron Carter

HSA and FSA Cards- Background on HSA/FSA Cards

Welcome to Rose - A message from our CEO