A health savings account (HSA) is an account funded to help you save for future medical expenses. There are certain advantages to putting money into these accounts, including favorable tax treatment. Are you eligible for a Health Savings Account?
Who Can Have an HSA?
Any adult is eligible for a Health Savings Account if you:
- Have coverage under an HSA-qualified, high deductible health plan (HDHP)
- Have no other health coverage (certain types of insurance, such as specific injury or accident, disability, dental care, vision care or long-term care, are permitted)
This Know Your Benefits article is provided by TPG Insurance Services and is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of an insurance professional.
© 2020 MyTPG.com. All rights reserved.
- Are not enrolled in Medicare
- Cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
Contributions to your HSA can be made by you, your employer or both. However, the total contributions are limited annually. If you make a contribution, you can deduct the contributions (even if you do not itemize deductions) when completing your federal income tax return. Alternatively, some employers will allow you to make your HSA contributions as tax-free salary reductions.
Contributions to the account must stop once you are enrolled in Medicare. However, you can still use your HSA funds to pay for medical expenses tax-free.
HDHPs
You must have coverage under an HSA-qualified high deductible health plan to open and contribute to an HSA. Generally, this plan will not cover first-dollar medical expenses, and must have a deductible of at least:
- Single coverage: $1,400 for 2020 (same for 2021)
- Family coverage: $2,800 for 2020 (same for 2021)
In addition, annual out-of-pocket expenses under the plan (including deductibles, copays and coinsurance) cannot exceed the following limits:
- Single coverage: $6,900 for 2020 ($7,000 for 2021)
- Family coverage: $13,800 for 2020 ($14,000 for 2021)
In general, the deductible must apply to all medical expenses (including prescriptions) covered by the plan. However, plans can pay for preventive care services on a first-dollar basis. Preventive care can include routine prenatal and well-child care, child and adult immunizations, annual physicals, mammograms and more.
HSA Contributions
You can make a contribution to your HSA each year that you are eligible. You can contribute no more than:
- Single coverage: $3,550 for 2020 ($3,600 for 2021)
- Family coverage: $7,100 for 2020 ($7,200 for 2021)
Individuals ages 55 and older can also make additional “catch-up” contributions of up to $1,000 annually.
Determining Your Contribution
Your eligibility to contribute to an HSA is determined by the effective date of your HDHP coverage. Individuals who are eligible to contribute to an HSA in the last month of the taxable year are allowed to contribute an amount equal to the annual HSA contribution amount provided they remained covered by the HSA for at least the 12-month period following that year. Contributions can be made as late as April 15 of the following year.
Using Your HSA
You can use money in your HSA to pay for any qualified medical expense permitted under federal tax law. This includes most medical care and services, dental and vision care.
Generally, you cannot use your HSA to pay for medical insurance premiums, except specific instances, including:
- Any health plan coverage while receiving federal or state unemployment benefits
- COBRA continuation coverage after leaving employment with a company that offers health insurance coverage
- Qualified long-term care insurance
- For HSA holders who are age 65 or older, any deductible health insurance (for example, retiree medical coverage) other than a Medicare supplemental policy.
You can use your HSA to pay for medical expenses for yourself, your spouse or your dependent children, even if your dependents are not covered by your HDHP. Any amounts used for purposes other than to pay for qualified medical expenses are taxable as income and subject to an additional 20% penalty. Examples include:
- Medical procedures and expenses not considered qualified under federal tax law
- Health insurance premiums, unless specifically described above
- Medicare supplement insurance premiums
- Expenses not health-related.
After you turn 65, the 20% additional tax penalty no longer applies. If you become disabled and/or enroll in Medicare, the account can be used for other purposes without paying the additional penalty.
Advantages of HSAs
Security – Your HSA can provide a buffer for unexpected medical bills.
Affordability – In most cases, you can lower your health insurance premiums by switching to health insurance coverage with a higher deductible.
Flexibility – You can use your HSA to pay for current medical expenses, including expenses that your insurance may not cover, or save your funds for future needs, such as:
- Health insurance or medical expenses if unemployed
- Medical expenses after retirement (before Medicare)
- Out-of-pocket expenses when covered by Medicare
- Long-term care expenses and insurance
Savings – You can save the money in your HSA for future medical expenses and grow your account through investment earnings.
Control – You make the decisions regarding:
- How much money you will put in the account
- Whether to save the account for future expenses or pay current medical expenses
- Which medical expenses to pay from the account
- Which financial institution will hold the account
- Whether to invest any of the money in the account
- Which investments to make
Portability – Accounts are completely portable, meaning you can keep your HSA even if you:
- Change jobs
- Change your medical coverage
- Become unemployed
- Move to another state
- Change your marital status
Ownership – Funds remain in the account from year to year, just like an IRA. There are no “use it or lose it” rules for HSAs.
Tax Savings – An HSA provides you triple tax savings:
- Tax deductions when you contribute to your account
- Tax-free earnings through investment
- Tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses
What Happens to My HSA When I Die?
- If you are married, your spouse becomes the owner of the account and can use it as if it were his or her own HSA.
- If you are not married, the account will no longer be treated as an HSA upon your death. The account will pass to your beneficiary or become part of your estate (and be subject to any applicable taxes).
Opening Your HSA
Banks, credit unions, insurance companies and other financial institutions are permitted to be trustees or custodians of these accounts. Other financial institutions that handle IRAs are also automatically qualified to establish HSAs.
Learn More
To learn more about if you are eligible for a health savings account or how to get started, contact HR today.
