What Does HSA Mean in Health Insurance?

Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of savings account that allows individuals to save pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses. It is often offered in conjunction with high-deductible health insurance plans to help individuals cover out-of-pocket costs.

HSAs offer several benefits, including:

• Tax advantages: Contributions are tax-deductible, grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.
• Portability: HSAs are owned by the individual, so they can keep the account even if they change jobs or health plans.
• Roll-over: Unused funds in an HSA can roll over from year to year, unlike Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

To be eligible for an HSA, an individual must:

• Be covered by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)
• Not be covered by other health insurance that is not an HDHP
• Not be enrolled in Medicare
• Not be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return

Contributions to an HSA can be made by the account holder, their employer, or both, up to certain annual limits set by the IRS. These contributions can be invested for potential growth over time.

Withdrawals from an HSA can be made tax-free for qualified medical expenses, including doctor visits, prescriptions, and more. After age 65, funds can be withdrawn for non-medical expenses without penalty, though income tax is still applicable.

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is not just a regular savings account; it's a powerful financial tool designed specifically for individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to save money for medical expenses while enjoying substantial tax benefits.