COMPLIANCE OVERVIEW: Unlocking the Power of HSAs

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are a popular type of tax-advantaged medical savings account available to individuals enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Individuals can use their HSAs to pay for expenses covered under an HDHP until their deductible has been met, or they can use their HSAs to pay for qualified medical expenses that are not covered under the HDHP, such as dental or vision expenses.

HSAs provide a triple tax advantage; contributions, interest and earnings, and amounts distributed for qualified medical expenses are all exempt from federal income tax, Social Security/Medicare tax and most state income taxes. Due to an HSA’s potential tax savings, federal tax law includes strict rules for HSAs, including limits on annual contributions and HDHP cost sharing.

HSAs are individually owned accounts, which means that individuals keep their HSAs even if they switch jobs or change their health plan coverage. Also, since there is no deadline for spending HSA money, individuals can use HSAs to save for future medical expenses.

This Compliance Overview summarizes key features for HSAs, including the contribution limits for 2024.

Annual Limits

• The 2024 contribution limit is $4,150 for individuals with self-only HDHP coverage and $8,300 for individuals with family HDHP coverage.
• Individuals who are age 55 or older may make an additional $1,000 “catch-up” contribution.
• For 2024 plan years, the minimum deductible is $1,600 for self-only HDHP coverage and $3,200 for family HDHP coverage.

HSA Advantages

• HSAs have three levels of tax savings; contributions, interest or earnings, and distributions for medical expenses are all tax-free.
• Individuals keep their HSAs even if they change jobs, change medical coverage or make other life changes.
• There is no deadline for using HSA funds, which allows individuals to save for current or future expenses.

For more information on health care benefits, contact us today.