Health Savings Account
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is like a 401(k) for health care; a tax-advantaged account that you can use for qualified medical expenses today, or save for the future. HSAs are tax-exempt accounts that accumulate interest and can earn investment returns. The funds can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses today or can be saved for future expenses. It’s owned by you and is 100% vested from day one, so you can build up savings for future needs. HealthEquity is the HSA administrator.
HSA Active Open Enrollment
You must actively re-select your contributions amounts for your HSA account. If you do not set your new contribution amounts, they will be set to $0 for the new plan year.
About Health Savings Accounts
Basics
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.
- Personal bank account: Dedicated for healthcare expenses, this account is owned and managed by you.
- Control your contributions: You choose your contribution amount and can change your contributions at any time during the year so long as you do not exceed the annual maximum.
- Contributions are pre-tax: No tax on contributions, interest, or withdrawals.
- No expiration: Money carries over from year to year, unlike funds in a flexible spending account.
Advantages
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.
Savings: You can save the money in your HSA for future medical expenses and grow your account through investment earnings.
Portability: Accounts are completely portable, meaning you can keep your HSA even if you change jobs or medical coverage, unemployed, move to another state, or change your marital status.
Tax Savings: An HSA provides you triple tax savings through tax deductions when you contribute to your accounts, tax-free earnings through investment, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.
Eligibility
You must be enrolled in a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP), and you cannot be enrolled in another health plan elsewhere, such as:
- Spouse’s employer-sponsored non-qualified HDHP
- Individual health plan
- Medicare enrollment
- Retiree military benefit plan (e.g. TRICARE)
An employee cannot be enrolled in a traditional Healthcare FSA and an HSA at the same time because the FSA disqualifies them from making HSA contributions under IRS rules. However, an employee can have an HSA simultaneously with a Dependent Care FSA.
HSA Contribution Limits
To contribute to an HSA, you must be enrolled in the CareFirst BlueChoice Advantage HSA plan and not be covered by other health insurance (including Medicare). Contributions to an HSA may be made with before-tax payroll deductions or personal contributions (personal contributions are also tax deductible). If you elect to make contributions through payroll deduction, your annual contribution will be divided evenly and deducted each pay period.
See IRS Publication 969 for more information.
Individual
This is the IRS Contribution Limit for individual accounts for the 2026 calendar year. Your total annual contributions should not exceed this amount.
$4,400
Family
This is the IRS Contribution Limit for family accounts for the 2026 calendar year. Your total annual contributions should not exceed this amount.
$8,750
Catch-Up Contribution
$1,000
If you are age 55 or older and are eligible to add money to your HSA, you can add money above the regular limits, referred to as a “catch-up” contribution.
Eligible Expenses
For a complete list of eligible medical expenses, please click here to view IRS Publication 502.
Medical
- Out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copays
- Hospital, lab and diagnostic services
- Fertility or infertility treatment
- Chiropractic care
- Learning disability treatment
- Smoking cessation programs
- Doctor-prescribed weight loss programs
- Over-the-Counter medications including aspirin and allergy/flu medication
- Menstrual Care products
- Hearing care
Dental
- Artificial teeth
- Dental treatments including cleanings, fillings, and extractions (cannot be cosmetic in nature)
- Orthodontics
Vision
- Contact lenses
- Prescription glasses
- Eye exams
- Laser eye surgery
- Prescription sunglasses
- Prescription eye drops
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides if the money I spend from my HSA is for a “qualified healthcare expense?”
You are responsible for spending your HSA money on eligible expenses. It is also your responsibility to keep receipts showing that your HSA money was used on those expenses. You should keep these receipts with your tax filings for each year, so you can show proof in case you are audited. To view a complete list of eligible expenses, visit IRS.gov and look for Publication 502.
I have an HSA but no longer have a High Deductible Health Plan. Can I still use the money for medical expenses tax-free?
YES. There is no time limit on using the money if it is for eligible healthcare expenses.
Can I use my HSA to pay for medical expenses I had before I set up my account?
NO. If you have not set up your account, you should do so as soon as possible.
If I am on an individual qualified plan with an HSA can I use my HSA funds to pay for my dependents’ medical expenses, even if the dependent is not enrolled in my medical plan?
Yes, as long as they are an eligible tax dependent.
Are people 65 or older eligible for the HSA?
For HSA eligibility, Medicare enrollment is the determining factor. If you are enrolled in Medicare, you are not allowed to contribute to an HSA account, or to receive employer HSA contributions. In most cases, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A starting the 1st day of the month you turn 65.
Can my HSA Contribution be prorated if I enroll mid-year?
Yes. HSA contributions are prorated based on your hire date or the date you become eligible for the plan. This means your annual contribution limit will be adjusted according to the number of months you are eligible to contribute during the year.
Can I use my HSA to pay for medical services provided in other countries?
YES. However, make sure that the medical services you are receiving are eligible expenses. Elective surgery, for example, may not be considered an eligible expense.
Can I use the money in my HSA to pay medical insurance premiums?
Generally, you cannot use your HSA to pay premiums for health insurance coverage. Exceptions include COBRA premiums, long term care premiums or premium payments that allow you to retain health coverage while you are receiving unemployment compensation.
How do I use my HSA to pay my doctor at the time of service?
There are no pre-deductible copays or coinsurance, so you should not be expected to pay any out-of-pocket amount at the time of service. Instead, you should request that the charge be billed through your insurance. This will likely result in a lower bill and ensure the charge is applied to your deductible. You will then receive a bill from your doctor and an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). You can pay this bill with the money from your HSA.
What if I use my HSA to pay for something other than a qualified medical expense?
HSA funds can be used for non-medical expenses, but the withdrawn funds are subject to all applicable income taxes and penalties. You will need to include this amount in your gross income when you file your taxes. If you are less than age 65, it will also be subject to a 20% excise tax. At age 65, you can use the funds for any purpose and no longer be subject to the penalty. However, ordinary income taxes will apply.
Can contribution amounts be changed during the year?
Yes, the contribution amount can be changed at any time during the year.
Contact the provider of these benefits by calling this phone number or visiting this website: Customer Service: 866-346-5800| www.healthequity.com