HSAs Can Be Easy To Understand
December 4, 2007
Using your HSA is a lot easier than you might expect, which is one reason why they are popular with so many consumers. Here are the basics on how HSAs work to benefit you.
Using your HSA for Covered Qualified Expenses
You can choose to use your HSA funds to pay for qualified medical expenses (for example, office visits, lab work and prescription drugs) before you have met your annual deductible. These covered expenses will still count toward your annual deductible.
Using Your HSA for Uncovered Qualified Expenses
You may also choose to use your HSA funds for qualified services not covered by the health plan, such as dental care, weight loss programs and eyeglasses. These expenses, however, do not count toward your annual deductible.
Your Annual Deductible
If you prefer, you can save any or all of your HSA funds and pay for your medical expenses out of pocket until you meet your annual deductible. Once you’ve met this, additional health care expenses are covered by your medical plan, but you can still use your HSA funds to pay for fixed expenses such as co-payments.
Carrying an Account Balance
If you don’t use all of your HSA dollars, the remaining amount will carry over into the next year. This is without question the most important aspect of Health SAVINGS Accounts! They are the only triple-tax-advantaged account available to you as a consumer. Tax-free going into the account. Tax-free accumulation inside the account. And (even better than IRA or 401(k) because…) it’s tax-free when it comes out of the account in a proper manner!
