Insurance and Billing
Health savings account (HSA)
A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account for medical costs. You can open one only with an HSA-eligible health plan.
A health savings account lets you set aside money before tax to pay for qualified medical expenses. Using these untaxed dollars on deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other costs may lower your out-of-pocket health care costs. NADP notes that qualified dental expenses may be paid from an HSA.
You may add money to an HSA only if you have an HSA-eligible plan, which is generally a high-deductible plan. HSA funds generally may not pay premiums. The account may earn interest, and the money belongs to you. It goes with you if you change jobs.
The IRS sets the rules and yearly limits. Ask a tax adviser about yours. An HSA is different from a flexible spending account. See deductible and dental financing.