What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) allow consumers to pay for medical expenses not covered by their health plan. Almost anyone with a qualified high-deductible health plan can also have a Health Savings Account. HSAs can save you money on your medical care now as well as provide a good way to save for future medical expenses. HSA funds can pay for expenses before you meet your deductible as well as helps pay for services not covered by your health plan, COBRA coverage during periods of unemployment, medical expenses after retirement and long-term care expenses, to name just a few.
Your high-deductible health plan can be one you get through your employer or a policy you buy on your own. Even if you get your high-deductible health plan or even your HSA account through your employer, you own your account. You decide how much to contribute, how much of the account to use for medical expenses, and which medical expenses to pay from your account, subject to annual limits announced each year. You also choose whether to pay for medical expenses from the account or save it for future use. Even if you change jobs, your Health Savings Account is still yours.
You can keep the account even if you move to another state, and you can continue to keep it as you grow older. Regardless of where you get your health insurance plan, whether on your own or through your employer, your Health Savings Account funds are yours.
Unlike some other types of accounts, you don't lose HSA funds at the end of the year. Unspent balances remain in your account earning interest until you spend them on medical care. This will be a strong incentive for you to spend wisely on your medical care, just like you do on other items you purchase. You'll want to shop around for the best value for your health care dollars.
HSAs benefit from a triple tax benefit. The three (3) benefits are:
- Contributions to the HSA are tax-deductible
- Any interest earned in the account is tax-free
- Withdrawals from the account for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
Another important aspect of HSAs is that HSAs can serve as a vehicle to save for medical expenses in retirement. This is because HSA funds can roll-over year over year.
The US Department of the Treasury has a resource page on HSAs that can be found here.
Questions and Answers About Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
How Can I Find an Agent To Establish a Health Savings Account?
You can call your current insurance company to see if your current health insurance policy qualifies to be used with a Health Savings Account. A licensed health insurance agent can help you with this process. To find an agent in your area, click here.
What If I Have a Qualified High-Deductible Health Plan But My Insurer Doesn't Offer the Health Savings Account Itself?
AN HSA can be established through a qualified trustee or custodian who is different than your high-deductible health plan insurer. A trustee can be an insurance company or bank or any institution already approved to administer Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or IRAs. Other trustees may be approved by the Treasury Department if they follow the procedures established.