Health Saving Account
iWhat is a Health Saving Account (HSA)?
Think of HSAs as “medical” IRAs. They are tax advantaged accounts that individuals with an HSA compatible high deductible health plan (HDHP) can fund and use to pay for medical expenses. Because they are tax advantaged and balances can accumulate over time, HSAs can also be used to accumulate wealth. In addition, HSAs are owned by the individual account holder and are therefore portable. Since inception in January 2004, HSAs are quickly gaining in popularity among individuals and employers alike.
What are the requirements for having an HSA?
- You must be enrolled in a high deductible HSA qualified health plan with any carrier
- You cannot be claimed as a dependent on another persons’ tax return
- You cannot be enrolled in Medicare
- You cannot have dual health insurance coverage (be covered by another non-HSA qualified health plan.)
How much can be contributed to an HSA?
The 2022 IRS contribution limits are $3,650 for a single plan coverage and $7,300 for a family plan coverage. In 2023, the IRS contribution limits have increased $200 for a single to $3,850 for a single plan coverage and $450 for a family to $7,850 for a family plan coverage.
The IRS states that you can not only use the HSA’s funds for medical expenses, you can also use the funds to pay for health insurance premiums for 4 main reasons:
1. Long-term care insurance
2. COBRA (continuation coverage)
3. Health insurance while receiving unemployment benefits under federal or state law
4. Medicare and other health coverage at 65 years or older (excluding Medicare supplemental policies)
| 2022 | 2023 | Change | |
| HSA Contribution limit (employer + employee) |
Self: $3,650 Family: $7,300 |
Self: $3,850 Family: $7,750 |
Self: + $200 Family: + $450 |
| HSA catch up contributions (age 55 or older) |
$1,000 | $1,000 | No change |
| HDHP minimum deductibles | Self: $1,400 Family: $2,800 |
Self: $1,500 Family: $2,800 |
Self: + $100 Family: + $200 |
| HDHP maximum out-of-pocket (deductibles, co-payments & all except premiums) |
Self: $7,050 Family: $14,100 |
Self: $7,500 Family: $15,000 |
Self: +$450 Family: +$900 |
How do I fund the HSA?
You fund the HSA using federally tax free dollars. If your employer allows, you can elect to have pre-tax contributions made via payroll deduction. You can also transfer funds online or send an “after tax” check and take the deduction as an above the line deduction on your federal income tax return 1040 when you file your taxes. Another option is to roll money over from an existing IRA.
As an individual policy holder you would open up a HSA Account . To Find a suitable HSA Account please review this list.
How can the funds be used?
The funds can be used for qualified health care expenses, including medical, dental and vision. Please see www.IRS.gov section 213 (d) for a full listing of qualified expenses. HSA funds can also be used to pay for COBRA premiums, Long Term Care premiums and Medicare premiums (Part B,C and D). All funds can be spent on eligible expenses for any IRS dependent, regardless of whether or not they are covered on the health plan. If funds are used for non-qualified expenses, a 20% IRS penalty applies.
What happens when I turn 65?
You can continue to use funds in an HSA for qualified medical expenses tax free, but another benefit for account holders 65 and over is that the HSA funds can also be spent on non-qualified expenses without a 10% penalty. Distributions for non-qualified expenses are taxed as “ordinary income”.
Do I lose the funds if they are not spent at the end of each year?
No. Unlike other health care accounts like FSA’s, there is no “use it or lose it” provision with HSA’s. The funds in an HSA roll-over from year to year, are interest bearing, and are even portable if the account holder changes jobs or health insurance carriers. HSA’s are often viewed as additional retirement savings accounts for these reasons.
How do I pay for things?
Depending on the financial institution HSA account holder, you can use an HSA debit card or checking book which they can use to purchase items that are qualified expenses. For example, at an in-network doctor’s office you will wait to be billed and then place your debit card numbers in the card options spot on the bill when you receive it. At the pharmacy, for dental, vision and out-of-network doctors, you will also have the option of using your debit card at the time of service.
Do I have investment options for balances in my HSA?
Yes, you have full reign to self-direct the funds in your HSA account. However, it is recommended that you leave your deductible or better yet the out-of-pocket maximum amount liquid in your HSA managed account in case of a medical emergency.
Why would I choose an HSA?
HSAs are beneficial in many ways. Not only do account holders save money on health insurance premiums, but they are better able to take control over their health care choices and expenses. HSAs are the innovative financier of health care today and retirement tomorrow. Why spend more than you need to on premiums and taxes when you could be saving the money for yourself on a rich benefit PPO plan?