Understanding the Difference Between an HRA and HSA

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) are both options that offer tax advantages for healthcare expenses, but they differ in various ways.

An HRA is typically funded solely by the employer, allowing employees to be reimbursed for qualified medical expenses. On the other hand, an HSA is funded by the individual, either through contributions from their paycheck or personal funds.

Here are some key differences between an HRA and an HSA:

• An HRA is funded by the employer, while an HSA is funded by the individual.
• HRA funds are not portable if you change jobs, whereas HSA funds belong to the individual and are portable.
• HRA funds can only be used for qualified medical expenses, but HSA funds can also be used for other purposes after retirement.
• With an HRA, the employer decides the contribution amount, but with an HSA, individuals can choose how much to contribute, up to the annual limit set by the IRS.
• An HRA may have a
  

  Understanding the Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) can unlock tax advantages for your healthcare expenses. While both seek to ease the financial burden of medical costs, they operate very differently. An HRA is exclusively funded by your employer, providing reimbursement for qualified medical expenses, while an HSA allows for individual contributions, whether from your paycheck or personal funds.