HSA Shop logoHSA Shop

HSA Guide

Can an Employer Set Up an HSA Without Using Their Health Insurance?

Published March 17, 2022

Check eligibility on the gobrowse 7,000+ HSA-eligible products in the free app.

Get the app
Short answer: Yes, an employer can set up an HSA for employees without tying it directly to their health insurance plan.

Employer HSA setup without health insurance

Many employers offer Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as part of their employee benefit packages. An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account specifically for medical expenses. But can an employer set up an HSA without using their health insurance?

Yes, an employer can set up an HSA for their employees without having to tie it directly to their health insurance plan. Here's how it works:

How the HSA arrangement works

  • An employer can establish a separate agreement with a financial institution that offers HSA services.
  • Employees can contribute pre-tax dollars to the HSA, which can be used for qualified medical expenses.
  • Employers can also choose to contribute to their employees' HSAs as part of their benefits package.
  • Employees own the HSA account, meaning they can take it with them if they leave the company.

Benefits of separating HSAs from insurance

Setting up an HSA independently from health insurance allows for more flexibility and control over the funds. It also gives employees the freedom to choose their own health insurance plan that best fits their needs.

Many employers are beginning to recognize the value of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as a great addition to their employee benefits. An HSA is not only a tax-advantaged savings account for medical expenses, but it can also be set up independently of the company’s health insurance plan, giving employees more options.

Free App

Browse 7,000+ HSA-Eligible Products

Search by symptom, get price alerts, and build your HSA shopping list — all in the free app.

← Back to all articles