Can You Be on Medicare and Have a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

When it comes to health savings accounts (HSAs) and Medicare, there are some important things to know. Many people wonder if they can be on Medicare and also have an HSA. The short answer is yes, you can have a health savings account while being on Medicare, but there are certain rules and limitations to consider.

Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in an HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan (HDHP) as long as they meet certain criteria:

• Not enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B
• Are not receiving Social Security benefits
• Under the age of 65

However, once you enroll in Medicare, some changes will occur regarding your HSA:

• You cannot contribute to your HSA once you are enrolled in Medicare
• If you already have funds in your HSA before enrolling in Medicare, you can still use those funds for qualified medical expenses tax-free
• You can use your existing HSA funds to pay for Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance

It's important to note that if you continue working past age 65 and delay enrolling in Medicare, you can still contribute to your HSA. However, once you do enroll in Medicare, you must stop contributing to the HSA.

Having an HSA while on Medicare can be beneficial for covering out-of-pocket medical expenses and supplementing your healthcare costs. It's essential to understand the rules and limitations to make the most of both Medicare and your health savings account.

Yes, you can have a Health Savings Account (HSA) while on Medicare, but you need to be aware of some specific conditions that may affect your ability to contribute to the account.